

F U 


.LI V3 



THE 



Illustrated Laconian 



HISTORY AND INDUSTRIES 

OF LACONIA, N. H. 



Descriptive of the City and Its Manufacturing 
and Business Interests 

Compiled by Charles w. Vaughan 

« 

CONTAINING 

AND PROFESSIONAL ,,K H , BUILDINGS I'.Hl . "s rr x V i .^'^ 

HOMES SUMMER RESIDENTS AND THEIR RESIDENCES ITS ^SSK?"*" 
TURING, GROWTH, PROSPERITY, AND FUTURE POSSIBIUTIES 



PUBLISHED BY 

LOUIS B. MARTIN 

1899 



y 



'01 
NTRODUCTION. 



In the publication of this book the aim has been to give a truthful and correct 
glimpse of Laconia as it has been in by-gone years and as it is to-day, feeling 
confident that a perusal of its pages will give all Laconians a feeling of pride 
over the growth and development of the town in the past, and impart renewed 
confidence in the future growth and prosperity of the city. 

LOUIS B. MARTIN, Publisher, 



N 



*b 




1652-LACONIA-1899 





The city of Laconia was chartered by 
the New Hampshire legislature of [893, 
is located near the geographical centre 
of Belknap county, of which county it 
is the shire town, and is also near the 
geographical centre of the state of New 
Hampshire, twenty-eight miles from 
Concord, and just one hundred miles 
from Boston, Mass. Laconia is upon 
both sides of the Winnipesauk.ee river, 
while Lake Winnesquam on the south 
and west, Lake Opechee near the 
centre of the city, and Lakes Winnipe- 



Gilford ; and previous to [813 this por 
tion of the city was included in the 
limits of the original township of Gil- 
manton. The portion of Laconia south 
of the river was cut off from Gilford 
and annexed to the town of Laconia in 
1874, and when the city charter was 
granted in 1893, Lakeport was also 
taken from Gilford to form a pan 
the city of Laconia. 

The early history of Laconia, there- 
fore, is identical with that of Gilman- 
ton, Meredith, and Gilford, and the 




Endicott Rock. 



saukee and Paugus on the north and 
east boundaries, well entitle Laconia to 
be known as the "City on the Lakes," 
which title is inscribed upon the city 
seal. 

Laconia was first incorporated as a 
township in 1855, the portion north of 
the Winnipesaukee river, including The 
Weirs, being set off at that time from 
the old town of Meredith. Previous to 
this date Laconia was known as Mere- 
dith Bridge, and the portion of the 
village on the south and east sides of 
the river was a part of the town of 



future historian of the city will be sadly 
hampered by the fact that there are no 
town records of Laconia until 1855. A 
brief sketch of the settlement of this 
territory has been compiled from Lan- 
caster's History of Gilmanton, pub- 
lished in 1845, and from authentic his- 
torical sketches of Meredith and Gil- 
ford. 

The first authentic record of the 
appearance of the white man in Laconia 
is found upon Kndicott rock, at The 
Weirs, near the outlet of Lake Winni- 
pesaukee. Strange as it may now seem, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



the territory of Laconia was once 
claimed as a portion of the territory 
granted to the Massachusetts Bay 
Colony. In 1638 the Massachusetts 
colonists sent a party up the Merrimack 
river to locate the northern bound of 




The Old Tucker House, formerly on Mill Street 



their grant, which was understood to 
be three miles from the headwaters of 
the Merrimack river, but was afterwards 
decided to be three miles from the 
mouth of the river. The first party of 
surveyors sent, out from Massa- 
chusetts to locate this bound, as- 
cended the river and , marked a 
tree near the junction of the Pem- 
igewasset and Winnipesaukee 
rivers fat Franklin). In 1652 the 
Bay state colonists sent out a sec- 
ond party from Ipswich, with in- 
structions to find and mark the 
headwaters of the Merrimack river. 
This party consisted of Captain 
Simon Willard and Edward John- 
son, commissioners, accompanied 
by Jonathan Ince, John Sherman, 
and two or three Indians. This 
surveying party reached The Weirs 
about August 1, 1652, and the 
white men in the party were prob- 
ably the first white men who ever 
set foot upon Laconia, or gazed at the 
beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. 

Captain Willard and his party marked 
a boulder on the shore of the lake, near 



the outlet into Lake Paugus, and re- 
turned to the lower settlements after an 
absence of nineteen days. The marks 
cut upon the rock were the initials of 
Simon Willard, Edward Johnson, John 
Sherman, Jonathan Ince, and the name 
of John Endicott, governor. In 
1740 the bounds of Massachu- 
setts and New Hampshire 
were established, and the boul- 
der on the shore of the lake 
was forgotten until about 1S33, 
when the marks were discov- 
ered by workmen who were en- 
larging the channel at The 
Weirs. In 1885 the legislature 
made an appropriation for rais- 
ing the rock and surrounding it 
with the substantial granite 
memorial which will undoubt- 
edly preserve the record of the 
white man's visit to Laconia 
for centuries to come. 

The portion of Laconia south 
of the river Winnipesaukee was 
granted to one hundred and 
seventy-seven persons in 1727, as com- 
pensation for services in defence of their 
country, and was incorporated as a part 
of Gilmanton. The charter was signed 
by His Majesty's colonial governor, John 




The Old Red House, formerly on Pleasant Street. 

Wentworth. The upper side of the river 
was chartered by the governor and coun- 
cil in 1768 as a portion of the township 
of Meredith. Both Gilmanton and Mere- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



dith were granted to Exeter and Torts- 
mouth people, and the meetings of the 
proprietors of the grants were held in 
Exeter for some time. 

The French and Indian wars de- 
layed the settlement of the two towns, 
and although it appears that several 
parties came here about 1750. they 
came as prospectors and hunters, and it 
was not until 1761 that any permanent 
settlements were effected.' In 1736 a 
party of men cleared a path to The 
Weirs and constructed a blockhouse, 
fourteen feet square, as a shelter and 
defence from Indians. About this time 
a new obstacle to settlement arose by 



by order of the general court, the 
Province road, so called, was laid out 
from Portsmouth to Canada, through 
Gilmanton and Meredith, and o 
quently through the present city of 
Laconia. "Meredith Bridge " was first 
constructed at this time, b m's 

Bridge" at Lakeport was not built until 
1782. and the bridge at The Weirs was 
erected in 1S03. "Mosquito bridge," 
leading over the narrow portion of 
Lake Winnesquam, was built about 
1805, and "Davis Bridge," leading 
from the mainland to Davis' island, 
now Governor's island, in Lake Winni- 
pesaukee, was erected previous to 1X20. 




1 nt Building after the Fii - 



the claims of John Tufton Mason of 
Hampshire county. England, who 
claimed all of the territory embraced 
in Gilmanton and Meredith, as con- 
veyed to him by the English govern- 
ment. Mason sold his claims to Ports- 
mouth people, and in 1752 the Maso- 
nian proprietors made a trade with 
those who received their grant from the 
governor of New Hampshire, and took 
certain shares of the territory for their 
claims. 

Previous to 1761 the route to Gil- 
manton and Meredith from Epsom and 
Exeter was merely a path, marked by 
spotted trees, but in October of this 
year a cart-path was made, and in 1770, 



With the exception of lands which 
were cultivated by the Indians at The 
Weirs and a few other places, the terri- 
tory embraced within our city limits 
was an unbroken wilderness until about 
1766. At this time Lhene/er Smith 
and Jacob baton built their log houses 
and commenced clearing away the 
forest. From the time the Endicott 
rock was marked no civilized man 
again appears until just before the con- 
struction of the block house, which was 
called White Hall, for some reason 
unknown, and which was erected in 
1736. The exact location of Smith's 
first house is not known, but Eaton's 
house was built when llilliard 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



now lives near The Weirs. Not long 
after Smith's arrival we find he had his 
house near where Lowell Cawley re- 
cently lived. The first road to The 
Weirs was from near Smith's house by 
Jacob Eaton's house, about where the 




■ 



An Old View of Water .Street. 

road now runs. On the lot where 
Eaton built there were several apple 
trees which had been planted by the 
Indians, which were so far as known 
the only apple trees ever found upon 
any Indian lands. At this ancient 
home of Eaton's the first white child of 
Laconia was born, and the little girl 
was named Thamor Eaton. Where she 
died and the place of burial is un- 
known. Soon after the birth of the 
Eaton child, a male child was born to 
Ebenezer Smith. Mr. Eaton under- 
stood that the first child born in town 
should be entitled to a certain amount 
of land from the proprietors, but Smith 
claimed that the "right of land" was 
to the first male child. A friendly com- 
promise was arranged, and Eaton took 
forty or fifty acres and Smith received 
the lion's share, about two hundred 
acres. Colonel Smith was above all 
others the principal man of the town 
for many years. He was born in 
Exeter, N. H., in 1734. He died in 
1807. He was proprietors' clerk and 
town clerk, justice of the peace, select- 
man, represented his town in both 
branches of the legislature, and was at 
one time president of the senate. 



Mills for sawing and grinding were 
commenced at Meredith Bridge soon 
after the Province road was built. The 
mills were first built on the Meredith 
side of the river, and in 1775 were 
owned by Stephen Gale but were swept 
away by a freshet in the year 1779. 
The mill privilege was purchased in 
1780 by Col. Samuel Ladd, who rebuilt 
on the Gilford side of the river. Col- 
onel Ladd lost his milldam three years 
successively, and in 1788 his mill was 
burned, but it was immediately rebuilt. 

About this time Abraham Folsom 
built mills both for sawing lumber 
and grinding grain at Lakeport, which 
was then called Folsom's mills. These 
mills were also destroyed by fire but 
again constructed the following season. 
There were also mills at The Weirs in 
1803, called Prescott's mills, but these 
establishments went into disuse, while 
the mills at Meredith Bridge and Lake- 
port did an extensive business, and the 
community around them rapidly in- 
creased in numbers and importance. 

One of the first houses on the Gil- 
man ton side of the river was the mill 
house, erected by Col. Samuel Ladd in 




The Old 1'erley Corner on Main Street. 

1780, near the present location of the 
Huse machine shops. Colonel Ladd 
purchased the land of Samuel Jewett, 
who settled half a mile above, the pre- 
vious year. It is stated that Colonel 
Ladd paid but seven Spanish dollars 



THE II.!. I STRATED LACONIAN. 



for this lot of two and a half acres of 
land on the east side of the river, and 
previously owned the territory now 
known as Ladd's Hill, just across the 
city line in Belmont. The land on the 
north side of the river was first owned 
by Schoolmaster James of Exeter. 
Stephen Gale next purchased this terri- 
tory and sold it to Colonel Ladd. This 
land commenced near the present 
Church street bridge and the bound 
ran in a straight line to Lake Winne- 
squam, near the mouth of the Winnipe- 
saukee river, thus including all of the 
most valuable property to-day in the 
city of Laconia. Most of the land on 



disannexed, and by an act of the \ 
Hampshire legislature, incorporated as 
a separate town, called Gilford. This 

town included not only the portion of 
the present Laconia south of the river, 
but also the present town of Gilford 
and that portion of Lakeport and The 
Weirs east of the liver and lake. 

About the year i 790, I >aniel .\\<-\v 
came to Meredith Bridge from Strat- 
ham, and opened a store in a small 
building near the bridge, lie erected 
a factory for a cotton mill, where the 
Belknap mills stand to-day, and did 
much to enlarge and build up the vil- 
lage. Aaron Martin early established 




Main Street before the Unitarian Church was Built. 



the south side of the river was first 
owned by James Conner and John 
Lowe, but was soon afterwards pur- 
chased by Samuel Jewett. Daniel 
Avery and Dr. Bowman purchased 
some of this property about 1790. 

In 181 1 the inhabitants on the south 
side of the YVinnipesaukee river, resid- 
ing in what was then called Gunstock 
Parish, petitioned to be set off into a 
separate town. The voters of Gilman- 
ton at their March meeting in 18 12 
declined to favor the petition, but voted 
not to oppose it in the legislature. The 
application was therefore successful, 
and on the 16th of June, 1812, that 
part of Gilmanton called Gunstock was 



a paper manufactory at Meredith Dridge, 
which was destroyed l>v lire some years 
afterwards. In [820, an academy was 
incorporated, and about the same time 
a term of the supreme court began to 
lie held here. There were then about 
thirty dwelling-houses in the village 
proper. Other traders were: Wood- 
bury Melcher. George I'. Avery, and 
Henry J. French. A post-office was 
established in 1 82 1, and I [oratio ( '•. 
Prescott was the fust postmaster. 

In 1813, when the late Timothy 1 >. 
Somes came to Meredith Bridge, there 
was but one church in the village, lo- 
cated just south of the present Willard 
Hotel property. This church was de- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



stroyed by fire, in February, 1836. The 
Avery mill, owned by Daniel Avery, 
Daniel Tucker, Stephen Tucker, and 
other leading citizens, was in operation 
at that time, but burned down some six 
or eight years afterwards. There was 
a clothing mill near the Mill street 
bridge, on the site occupied by the 
J. W. Busiel & Co. dye house at the 
present time. This mill was owned 
and operated by Samuel and Nathan 
Bean. Stephen Perley had an oil mill 
for preparing oil for painters, near the 
Bean mill. Daniel Tucker owned a 
blacksmith shop, on the site of the pres- 
ent Esty mill, and manufactured axes, 
scythes, and other tools. The well- 



som kept a hotel on Pleasant street, 
and was one of the first tavern keepers 
in the village. There were but thirty- 
four houses on both sides of the river 
in 18 13, and some of these were mere 
shanties. The best house in the town 
was the John A. Harper residence, 
where Mrs. Dr. Prescott and L. A. 
Ladd now reside. Mr. Harper was the 
only lawyer at that time, was a very 
able and brilliant man, and at one time 
a member of congress. The mails were 
brought from Concord on horseback, and 
no wagons were in use here at that time. 
Dr. Zodack Bowman was the only 
physician in town, and lived where Mrs. 
Mary A. Tilton's residence now stands, 




. ii 



HUH GUI 



'9 m 




The Old Mitchell and Mallard Blocks 



known Holbrooks, who afterwards re- 
moved to Massachusetts, had a bell 
foundry near the Tucker mill. They 
cast the first bell ever rung in Meredith 
Bridge. 

The bridge across the river on Main 
street at this time was a small and nar- 
row affair, with no railing. A man 
named French fell off the bridge and 
was drowned in the river about this 
time, and then the bridge was supplied 
with a railing. On the Gilford side of 
the river, near the end of the Mill 
street bridge, was a sawmill, owned by 
Dudley Ladd, while Jonathan Ladd 
operated a grist- mill near the site of the 
present Pitman mills. Jonathan Fol- 



at the corner of Main and Court streets. 
There was no Main street, then, above 
Mill street, and a little brook ran through 
Bank square, where the present Perley 
canal is located. This brook was crossed 
by small bridges of one or two planks. 
In 1842 Meredith Bridge was a vil- 
lage of considerable importance. The 
Belknap Gazette was published by the 
late Col. Charles Lane, and the village 
boasted three cotton mills, a woolen 
mill, grist-mills, sawmills, a large tan- 
nery, sash and door machinery, a large 
printing-office, with bookbindery and 
bookstore connected. There were ten 
stores, three taverns, three churches, 
five lawyers, three clergymen, and an 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



academy in a flourishing condition. The ladies of the village in the freight depot 
regular stage went through from Hoi- which stood on the site onia's 

derness to Boston in one day, leaving beautiful passenger station of to-day. 



Meredith Bridge at six o'clock in the 
morning, making the trip via Concord 




Paying an Election Bet Thirty-five Vears Ago. 

and Manchester on three days in the 
week, and via Pittsfield and Exeter on 
the other three days. 

The opening of the old Boston, Con- 
cord & Montreal Railroad between 
Concord and Meredith Bridge marked 
an important point in the growth of 
Laconia. August S, 1848, was the 
date of the opening of the railroad 
to Meredith Bridge, and a year after- 
wards the road was extended to Lake 
Village. The opening of the road 
was the occasion of the biggest cele- 
bration Meredith Bridge had ever 
witnessed up to that date. A mam- 
moth cannon was located near Horse 
Point, on the shore of Lake Winne- 
squam, and when the special train 
came along, a salute was fired, which 
was the signal for ringing the mill 
bells, and the church bell of the old 
North church. There was an im- 
mense throng of people waiting at 
the depot to welcome the iron horse, 
the farmers driving in from miles 
around. 

The locomotive was named "Old Man 
of the Mountains," and the train was in 
charge of Major Jake Libbey, as con- 
ductor. The chief feature of the cele- 
bration was the collation, served by the 



The car track stopped near this point. 
The tickets for the free ride on the 
special train to Meredith bridge are 
still preserved as souvenirs, and read 

as follows : 

B. C.&MONTREAL RAILROAD. 

I IP] \l.\<; TO MERED1 I II. 

The directors respectfully invite your attend- 
ance upon t he opening of this road on Tuesday, 
Augusl 8, 1 S 1 S . 

ARRANGEMENT. 

A special train will leave the Lowell Depot, 
Boston, at 6 o'clock, a. m.; Lowell at 63; 
Nashua at jl, Manchestei - ! . and Concord at 
9, on the arrival of the special from Boston. 

This will pass you free over the Boston iV 
Lowell, the Concord, the Northern and the B. 
C. & M. railroad <>n this and admit 

you to the collation at Meredith. 

Stockholders and invited guests below Con- 
cord will be particular to take the special train. 

Previous to 1855, the citizens of 
Meredith Bridge went to Meredith 
Parade to vote. At the March meet- 
ing i March 13, 1855) occurred the great 
catastrophe known as the falling of the 
town house. Soon after the opening of 




Weirs before the " Boom " Arrived. 

the meeting, while preparing to take a 
vote by ballot, their was a rush of vo- 
ters, of whom there were from six to 
eight hundred present, and their weight 
broke down the floor timbers of the yet 




AVtf J\r ox ,Af ^ £\AfV s 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOXIAN. 



unfinished town house at Meredith vil- 
lage. The floor gave way, and about 
one hundred and fifty men were precipi- 
tated into the basement of the building. 
Out of this mass of struggling humanity, 
over sixty men were carried out seri- 
ously injured with broken bones, dislo- 
cated joints and internal injuries. Four 
of the injured men, James W. Durgin, 
Washington Smith, Benjamin D. Rob- 
inson, and Nathaniel Nichols, died in a 
short time, and others received injuries 
from which they never recovered, many 
being crippled for life. This was one 



and first division of lots in said Meredith, 
thence easterly on said line to the rangeway, 
thence northerly on said rangeway to the corner 
between lots numbered eight and nine in the 
sixth range, thence easterly on the line between 
said lots the length of two lots to the rangeway 
between the fourth and fifth range, thence north- 
erly on said rangeway to the corner between 
lots numbered three and four in the fourth 
range, thence easterly on the line between said 
lots the length of two lots to the rangeway be- 
tween the second and third range, thence south- 
erly on said rangeway to the corner between 
lots numbered three and four in the second 
range, thence easterly on the line between said 
lots the length of two lots to the Winnipesaukee 
lake, thence southerly on the waters of said 
lake and the line between the towns of Mere- 



r 



M 





i 







Laconia from Vue de l'Eau Hotel. 



of the immediate causes which led to 
the setting off of Meredith Bridge from 
the mother-town, and in July of the 
same year, by act of the legislature, 
Meredith was divided, and the town of 
Laconia incorporated. 

The act to incorporate the town of 
Laconia was approved July 14, 1855, 
and signed by Gov. Ralph Metcalf. 
The bounds of Laconia, as created by 
this act of the legislature, were as fol- 
lows : 

" That all that part of the town of Meredith 
lying southerly of the following line, to wit : 
Beginning at a point on the easterly shore of 
Sanbornton bay, on the line between the lots 
numbered three and four in the seventh range 



dith and Gilford and on said Sanbornton bay to 
the bounds begun at, be and the same is hereby 
severed from the town of Meredith and made a 
body politic and corporate by the name of 
Laconia." 

The warrant for the first town meet- 
ing of the new town of Laconia was 
signed by H. N. Burnham, Stephen 
Gale, John C. Moulton, and Samuel \V. 
Sanders, who were authorized by the 
legislature to call this meeting. The 
first meeting was held in the Boston, 
Concord & Montreal Railroad freight 
station, "near the residence of Stephen 
Gale," on August 2, 1855. The town 
officers elected at this meeting were as 
follows : Moderator, Horatio N. Burn- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



'3 



ham; town clerk, Benjamin 1*. dale: 
selectmen, Samuel W. Sanders, John 
Davis, 2d, Ebenezer S. Gate ; town 
treasurer. Elijah Beaman ; superintend- 
ing school committee, John K. Young; 
auditors, Joseph YV. Robinson, Hugh 
Blaisdeil, John C. Moulton ; surveyors 
of wood, Harrison Sibley, Thomas 
Wilder, Moses B. Gordon, and Ben- 
jamin P. Gale ; surveyors of lumber, 
Nathan B. Wadleigh, John Davis, 2d. 
Joseph Ranlet, and Moses B. Gor- 
don ; town agent, Noah Robinson ; 
weigher of hay, Horatio N. Burn ham ; 
sealer of weights and measures, James 
S. Hoit ; poundkeeper, David Blaisdeil: 



legislature, and dated July 2. 1874, and 
tin- bounds of the addition are given as 
follows : 

"That all that part of the town .if Gilford 
bounded as follow s, to wil : 1 ■ .it a 

slake and stone on t he easterly side "I Round 
bay on a line with the noi 1 1 Thomas 

I'm nil's land, and running easterly to and 
along said Durrell's land to the liw 

1 districts No. 4 and No. [2, thence south- 
erly on the line of school district No. 4 to the 
line between Gilford and Belmont, thence wesl 
erlv on the line between Gilford and Belmont to 
Sanbornton bay, and to the line between Gil- 
ford and Laconia, thence northerly on said hay, 
Winnipiseogee river and Round Lav, ben 
the line between Gilford and Laconia, to the 
bound begun at, be and the same hereby is sev- 
ered from the town of Gilford and annexed to- 
the town of I .aconia." 




Main Street, before Smith's Brick !_» 1 • ck was Erected. 



fence viewers, Ebenezer S. Cate, Chas. 
Smith, and Joseph YV. Robinson ; hog- 
reeves, Chas. Gould, Chas. S. Gale. 
Moses Sargent, and Westley Maloon ; 
constables, James S. Hoit, Hugh Blais- 
deil, Augustus Doe, Horatio N. Burn- 
ham, and John C. Davis ; surveyors of 
highways, Edward Bacon, Lewis W. 
Boynton, Lucian A. Ladd, Reuben P. 
Smith, James R. Gray, John C. Eolsom, 
Nathaniel Sanborn, John M. L. Swain, 
Jacob Smith, John M. Robinson, James 
Gordon, and Ebenezer S. Cate. 

The next change in the territory of 
Laconia was the annexation of the por- 
tion of Gilford lying on the south side 
of the Winnipesaukee river. This move 
was heartily opposed by the old town of 
Gilford, but the act was passed by the 



This act of the legislature united the 
two portions of the village on both 
sides of the river, under one town gov- 
ernment, as up to this date the inhabi- 
tants on the south side had been 
obliged to go to Gilford village t<> vote, 
and to transact all their town business. 
But at Lake Village a similar stat( 
affairs still existed, the easterly side of 
the river being in the town of Gilford, 
and the westerly side being a part of 
the town of Eaconia. This was reme 
died by the act of the general court, 
dated July 13, 1876, as follows : 

"That all that part of the town of Laconia 
bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at a 
stake and stones on the westerly shore oi Long 
bay, so 1 ailed, at the northeasterly 1 "iner of the 
farm of Enoch B. Prescott, thence westerly on 
the northerly liue of said I'tescott's f.u 111 to the 



14 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



highway leading from Lake Village to Mere- 
dith, thence northerly on said highway to the 
centre of Tilton brook, so called, thence west- 
erly down the centre of said brook to Round 
bay, to the line dividing the town of Gilford 
from the town of Laconia — be and the same 
hereby is severed from the town of Laconia and 
annexed to the town of Gilford." 

f The next change in the territory of 
Laconia was the annexation of the vil- 
lage of Lakeport, on both sides of the 
river, and the consolidation of the two 
towns under a city government. Lake- 
port had outgrown the mother town of 
Gilford, which was and still is strictly a 
farming community, and there was little 
or no opposition to the union of the two 



lot line to the division line orrangeway between 
ranges two and three ; thence northerly on said 
division line or rangeway to Lake Winnipiseo- 
gee — shall be a body corporate and politic under 
the name of the City of Laconia." 

The first city election held under the 
charter was May 2, 1893, and the first 
city government was inaugurated May 
3, 1893, as follows: Mayor, Charles A. 
Busiel. Councilmen, ward one, George 
W. Weeks, William J. Morrison ; ward 
two, Albert C. Moore, Francis H. Davis ; 
ward three, Charles E. Frye, Joseph M. 
Folsom ; ward four, Edmund Tetley, 
Charles W. Vaughan • ward five, Horace 
W. Gorrell, John W. Ashman ; ward 





Avery Dam, looking down the River. 



villages, which had grown so closely 
together that it was hard to tell where 
one left off and the other commenced. 

The city charter was granted by the 
legislature of 1893, and dated March 24, 
1893. The bounds of the portion cut 
off from Gilford and made a part of the 
city (ward six) are as follows : 

" The inhabitants of the town of Laconia, in 
the county of Belknap, and the inhabitants of 
all that part of the town of Gilford lying west- 
erly of a line described as follows, viz. : Com- 
mencing at the southeast corner of School Dis- 
trict No. 13 in said Gilford, thence northerly 
on the division line or rangeway, between ranges 
one and two, as shown by the Gilford town plan, 
to the south line of lot originally owned by 
Joseph Libby ; thence easterly on said Libby 



six, Benjamin F. Drake, Charles L. 
Pulsifer, Julius E. Wilson, Romanzo B. 
Priest. 

Meredith Bridge suffered seriously 
several times in its early history from 
disastrous fires. Feb. 13, 1823, the 
large brick factory, factory store, and 
engine house on Mill street were burned. 
The fire started in the picking-room, 
and spread so rapidly that the girls in 
the upper loft were obliged to jump 
from the windows, and some of them 
were seriously injured. Clarissa Bean, 
one of the operatives, had her limbs 
broken. They were amputated, but she 
did not recover. In December, 1833, 



THE ILLUSTRATFD LACONIAN. 



•5 



the paper mill, sawmill, and grist-mill 
were destroyed by tire, and in February, 
1836, the only meeting-house, located 
near the site of the Judge Lovell place, 
together with the dwelling-house and 
outbuildings of Lyman B. Walker, were 
burned. The "big fire" of Nov. 21, 
1S60, was the most serious conflagration 
in Laconia's history. It started in the 
stable of the Cerro Gordo hotel, which 
was located just below the present 
Moulton opera house block, swept down 
the street and across the street, destrov- 



was organized, one of the first mills 
erected in the country for the manufac- 
ture of woolen goods. The mill was a 
wooden building, and much of the ma- 
chinery was built here. The stock was 
luld by citizens of the village, and the 
leading spirits in the enterprise were 
Daniel Avery, Stephen Perley, John A. 
Harper, and others. 

Later enterprises in the same line 
was the establishment of the Granite 
hosiery mills, in 1S47, by the late John 
W. Busiel, the White Mountains hosiery 

1 




The Cerro Gordo House, burned 1S60. 



ing practically all the business places 
in the village at that time. In later 
years, the car shops have twice been 
nearly wiped out by conflagrations, but 
in both cases immediately rebuilt on a 
larger scale. 

Probably nothing has contributed so 
much to the growth and prosperity of 
Laconia as the manufacturing indus- 
tries. The Bean carding mill and Mar- 
tin's paper mill were the first enterprises 
of this kind, both established about 
1800. About a dozen years later, the 
Meredith Cotton and Woolen Company 



mills, established by the late Lewis F. 
Busiel a few years later, and the Cilford 
Hosiery Co., incorporated by the late 
John C. Moulton in 1864. The Belknap 
mills, the Pitman Manufacturing Co., 
the late J. S. Tilton hosiery industry, 
and the Abel machine shops should 
also be mentioned among the industries 
which have furnished employment for 
large numbers of workmen and helped 
build up the town. 

The Laconia car shops are now and 
have been for many years, perhaps, the 
most important individual manufactur- 



i6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ing concern in Laconia. These shops 
were started by the late Charles Ranlet 
and Joseph Ranlet about 1850, under 
the name of the Ranlet Car Co. Perley 
Putnam and the late John C. Moulton 
afterwards came into the. concern, and it 
was known as the Laconia Car Co. until 
the organization of the Laconia Car Co. 
Works in 1898, of which Hon. Frank 
Jones of Portsmouth is president and 
the principal owner. 

Other local enterprises which have 
assisted in building up the town are the 
old Baldwin peg mill, the numerous 
machine shops, which sprang up from 
the hosiery industry, including the Abel 



lage had a population of but 500. In 
1890 the census showed about 3,000. 
After the census of 1890, and previous 
to the adoption of the city charter in 
1893, both Laconia and Lakeport in- 
creased rapidly in population, so that it 
is safe to state that the population of 
the city of Laconia at the inauguration 
of the city charter was at least 10,000. 

The construction and opening of the 
Lake Shore railroad between Laconia 
and Alton Bay was an important event 
in local history. As far back as 1847, 
a charter was granted to build this 
eighteen miles of road to connect the 
Cocheco road, on the eastern side of 




Looking up the River, from Main Street Bridge. 



shops, the Huse shops, the Cole Manu- 
facturing Co., the J. S. Crane shops, the 
Wardwell needle shops, and scores of 
others in this and similar lines. 

The lumber mills of G. Cook & Son, 
the Laconia lumber works, and Laco- 
nia's retail stores, especially the dry 
goods establishments, have also done 
much to advance the prosperity of the 
town, and make it a trade centre. 

In 1855, when Laconia was set off 
from Meredith and incorporated as a 
separate town, its population was reck- 
oned at 1,200. In i860, the census 
gave the town a population of 1,806, 
which had increased to 2,309 by the 
next census in 1870, and to 3,790 in 
1880. The census of 1890 showed 
6,143 inhabitants. In 1830 Lake Vil- 



New Hampshire, with the old Boston, 
Concord & Montreal railroad at Mere- 
dith. But lack of financial means pre- 
vented the construction of the Lake 
Shore link for over forty years, and the 
original charter expired. Attempts were 
made to renew the charter in 1868, 
1869, and 1870, but it was opposed by 
the Boston, Concord & Montreal road. 
For several years the demand for this 
charter was made a political issue in 
Belknap county, and in 1883 the char- 
ter was granted by consent of both 
the great railroad corporations of New 
Hampshire, with the mutual under- 
standing, however, that neither of them 
would assist in building the road. The 
charter was in the hands of Charles A. 
Busiel and his associates, and in the 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



'7 



big railroad fight of 1887 a condition of port and in Moulton opera hous< 
affairs was reached where both the Con- Laconia. The entire four train-loads 
cord railroad and the Boston & Maine of guests, and all the prominent citizens 
road offered to construct the Lake Shore of Laconia and Lakeport, were ban- 
link. By a wise use of the opportu- queted by a down-country caterer in .1 





An ( lid View oi Main Street. 

large tent erected for the purpose in 
the rear of the City Hotel. Hon. ('. A. 
Busiel was presented with a gold- 
headed cane, as a mark of apprecia- 
tion from the citizens for his long strug- 
gle for the 



The OKI Messer Bridge. 

nities growing out of this railroad fight 
in the legislature, the Lake Shore was 
constructed by the Concord Railroad 
corporation, and formally opened with 
a grand celebration in Laconia on June 
17,1890. Four 

return, accom- | - ^B. 1-. -M}Mfc;t}l \Jy <>f Laconia on 

road officials, ( | I W'\ \t\ ■*^J I erings of p,-o- 

the governor, ...\ |!| ■ ' T I pie ever seen 

mill and in the &&* - --^ cent railroad 

church towers, .' passenger sta- 

whistles were , ,,,,., ... tion on .\u- 

. . , fewctt Homestead, One oi the Oldest llmiM-^ m town. n 

blown, and sa- gusl 22, 

lutes fired from cannon. The leading cit- was another event of historical import- 
izens of Dover, and other towns in that ance. l*p to this time Laconia s pas- 
section of New Hampshire, were guests senger depot had been a mere wooden 
of Laconia upon this occasion, and shell, which had done service ever since 
speech-making was indulged in at Lake- the opening of the railroad. The con 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOXIAN. 



tract for the erection of the present 
station was signed in April, 189 1, and 
S. S. Ordway & Co., of Woburn, Mas- 
sachusetts, were the contractors. The 
Ordway contract and the heating appar- 
atus involved an expense of $30,000. 
Before ground was broken for the new 
depot, the railroad folks invested about 
$22,000 in the purchase of the Vaughan, 
Lane, Kelley, and O'Shea properties, 
removing the dwelling houses thereon, 
so as to clear off the entire square. The 
town of Laconia joined with the rail- 
road in enlarging the railroad square, 
by purchasing the Tibbetts and Wilcox 
properties and taking a slice from the 
Gale property opposite the passenger 
station. The dedication of the depot 



the best structure of the kind to be 
found in America." Credit for the sub- 
stantial and beautiful depot largely be- 
longs to Hon. Charles A. Busiel, who 
was at that time one of the managing 
directors of the Concord railroad, and 
it was through his efforts and local 
pride that Laconia was granted such an 
expensive and magnificent passenger 
station. History will accord to Hon. 
C. A. Busiel the honor of constructing 
the Lake Shore railroad and the erec- 
tion of the Laconia passenger station, 
and these two things will stand as mon- 
uments to the man for years to come. 

To give a proper history of the 
record of Laconia's citizen-soldiers in 
the War of the Revolution, the War of 




Depot Square before the Cc 



Depot. 



was under the auspices of the Laconia 
Board of Trade, and Gov. Hiram A. Tut- 
tle and numerous other railroad and state 
officials were guests of the occasion. 
A brass band escorted Ticket Agent 
E. S. Cook from the old depot to the 
new structure, and the first ticket, good 
for a ride from Laconia to Concord, 
was sold at public auction, and bid off 
by Col. F. 6. Wallace for the sum of 
thirty dollars. The Board of Trade and 
their guests enjoyed a banquet at the 
Eagle hotel, and the depot was formally 
dedicated with appropriate speeches by 
the governor, the railroad officials, and 
prominent citizens. The Laconia depot 
at the time of its construction was pro- 
nounced by competent judges to be 
"without doubt, all things considered, 



18 1 2, and the War of the Rebellion, 
will require more space than can be 
afforded in the pages of this publica- 
tion. The sturdy, patriotic settlers of 
Gilmanton and Meredith were prompt 
to leave their homes in 1776, and took 
an active part in the battles of Bunker 
Hill, Bennington, and other Revolu- 
tionary struggles. Major Stephen 
Gale, Samuel Jewett, Jacob Jewett, and 
Captain William Gordon were among 
the Revolutionary soldiers from the ter- 
ritory which is now the city of Laconia, 
and whose graves are decorated each 
Memorial Day by the members of John 
L. Perley, Jr., Post, No. 37, Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

In the War of 18 12 were James S. 
Hoit, Asa J. Bean, Philbrook R. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN, 



'9 



Lovett, Dudley Oilman, J. ];. Pulsifer, 
Enoch Osgood, Josiah Randlett, fames 
Filgate, Levi Pickering. Asa Crosby, 
Josiah Moulton, Capt. Win. Heywood, 
Samuel Oilman, Capt. Hugh Blaisdell, 
J. D. Prescott. and many others who 
should be credited to Laconia. The 
late Col. Thomas J. Whipple took an 
active part in the Mexican War and also 
in the War of the Rebellion, and his 
military and legal fame gave him a 
national reputation. 

When President Lincoln called for 
volunteers in 1861, at the breaking out 
of the War of the Rebellion, hundreds of 
the best youths and men of Laconia 



In 1863 Laconia voted to pay a 
bounty of $300 to those who might be 
drafted, or their substitutes, and the 
selectmen were authorized to advance- 
all bounties, town, state, and national. 
to volunteers, to the amount of $500 
each. In 1864 it was voted to pay sol- 
diers a bounty of 5 100 for one year, $200 
for two years, and S300 for three years, 
to all enlisted men, and $200 to' men 
who might be drafted. In December of 
the same year, it was voted to pay a 
bounty of $600 to enrolled men who 
enlisted for three years. 

When the first call for three months' 
men came from Washington, a full com- 




Laconia's Passenger Station, Opened Augusf ■-'. 189 !. 



laid down the implements of peaceful 
toil and took up arms for the preserva- 
tion of the Union. Laconia's record in 
the Civil War would require a larger 
volume than the " Illustrated Laconian," 
and some future historian must do jus- 
tice to our brave citizen-soldiers, many 
of whom are still with us, although 
their ranks are growing thinner and 
their locks are growing grayer, as they 
form in line on each annual Memorial 
Day. The two Grand Army posts of 
the city now decorate over one hundred 
and fifty graves of deceased comrades 
of the war of i86i-'65. 



pany of ninety men promptly volun- 
teered and were enlisted at the old Tor- 
rent engine house on Water street. 
These men served the three months, and 
forty-two of them re-enlisted for three 
years, at Portsmouth, and were attached 
to the Second regiment. Another com- 
pany of ninety men enlisted in the 
Fourth regiment, with William badger 
as captain, David (). Burleigh, first lieu 
tenant, and Timothy W. Chellis, second 
lieutenant. The next men to enlist 
were a detachment of twenty men who 
joined the Fifth regiment, and were 
headed by R. R. Somes. Captain Plan- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ders next raised a company of ninety- 
men for the Eighth regiment, and when 
the famous Twelfth regiment was raised 
in Belknap county in ten days' time, 
Laconia sent another company of one 
hundred volunteers, commanded by 
Capt. John Whipple, with the late 
Joseph S. Tilton as first lieutenant. 
Another company, one hundred strong, 
with John Aldrich as captain, went out 
in the Fifteenth regiment, and when the 
New Hampshire Heavy Artillery was 
organized, Laconia sent a company of 
one hundred and fifty men. This list 
does not include all the men who en- 



marched from their armory and took the 
train for Concord, where they were 
mustered into the United States service 
for two years. One hundred and six 
men was the strength of the company 
which left Laconia, and this city had 
numerous other representatives in com- 
panies from other sections of New 
Hampshire. Co. K was a part of the 
First New Hampshire Volunteers, and 
the regiment was at Camp Thomas, 
Chickamauga Park, Tennessee, durino- 
the summer, and came back to Concord 
in September to be mustered out, ar- 
riving in Laconia on Tuesday, Sept. 




Ccmpany K, First New Hampshire Volunteers, ib'98. 



listed from Laconia in the War of the 
Rebellion, for detachments were formed 
for other regiments, and quite a number 
of Laconians joined the regular United 
States army. But for a town with a 
population of only 1,800, it will be seen 
that Laconia was not lacking in patri- 
otism during the great civil war. 

In the spring of 1898, when Presi- 
dent McKinley issued his first call for 
volunteers to enlist for two years, or 
until the end of the Spanish-American 
War, practically every member of the 
Tetley Rifles, Co. K, of the New Hamp- 
shire National Guard, of Laconia, 
promptly signified his readiness to en- 
list. On the second day of May, Co. K 



13th, for a thirty days' furlough, pre- 
paratory to being discharged from the 
United States service. There were four 
deaths in the company while in camp at 
Chickamauga Park : Capt. William A. 
Sanborn, Lieut. Joseph L. Morrill, Cor- 
poral Alfred Morrill, and Corporal 
Earle Oilman. All died from typhoid 
fever, which prevailed to quite an ex- 
tent in the regiment. Lieutenant Mor- 
rill and Corporal Morrill were brothers, 
and Corporals Morrill and Oilman were 
officers in the Laconia High School 
Cadets, and members of the graduating 
class of 1898, but laid aside their books 
and gave up the honors of graduation 
to respond to the call of their country. 




LACONIA TO-DAY 





*•...>' 



Laconia to-day is a city of 10,000 or 
12,000 population, beautifully located 
among the famous lakes of central New 
Hampshire, at the gateway of the cele- 
brated White Mountain region. It is in 
the centre of one of the most fertile 
farming sections of the Granite state, 
and has been for the past hundred years 
the trading centre of the surrounding 
farms, villages, and towns within a cir- 
cle of twenty miles. Boston can be 
reached in three hours, either over the 
White Mountains division of the Boston 
& Maine 
railroad sys- 
tem, or by 
way of t h e 
Lake Shore 
b r a n ch of 
the North- 
ern division 
of the same 
system. 

Lac o n i a 
is bounded 
on the north 
by Meredith 
and Lake 
W i n n i p e - 
saukee, on 
the east by 
W i n n i p e - 
saukee and 
Gilford on 
the south by Belmont and Lake Win- 
nesquam, and on the west by Lake 
Winnesquam and Meredith. The Win- 
nipesaukee river, having its source in 
the great reservoir of the same name, 
runs directly through the heart of the 
city, affording valuable water privileges, 
which have helped very materially in the 
development and growth of the city. 

Laconia is the recognized commercial 

centre of Belknap county, being the 

shire town and the seat of the county 

government. The voting strength is 

bout 2,^00, and the latest assessors' 




High School Buildin 



figures give the city a total valuation of 
$4,500,000. The inventory of city prop- 
erty, including school buildings, fire de- 
partment, street department, etc., foots 
up over $245,000. 

The city government is vested in a 
mayor and fourteen councilmen, the 
mayor elected annually, and the coun- 
cilmen elected for two years, one from 
each ward being elected each year, with 
the exception of ward six (Lakeport), 
which elects two councilmen each year 
and has a representation of four mem- 
bers in each 
city council. 
The pres- 
ent city gov- 
ernment is 
as follows : 
Mayor, Col- 
onel E d- 
m u n d Tet- 
ley; council- 
men, Ward 
1 . Wil liam 
A. Smith, 
Frank M. 
Sanborn: 
Ward 2 , 
Charles F. 
Rich ar ds, 
Rufus P. 
Dow: Ward 
3, John T. 
Dodge, Joseph K. Chase; Ward 4. John 
P. Clay, Charles L. Kimball: Ward 5, 
Frank 'A. Edwards, Alfred C. Wyatt; 
Ward 6, Julius F. Wilson. Edwin D. 
Ward. John R. Leavitt, George F. Hull; 
City clerk, Simeon C. Five: City treas- 
urer, Arthur W. Din'Smoor; City solicitor, 
Stephen S. Jewelt ; Board of assessors, 
Edwin F. Burleigh, Lewis S. Perley, 
Charles L. Pulsifer; Collector of taxes, 
Fred A. Young; City engineer, superin- 
tendent of sewers, and street commis- 
sioner, William Nelson: Overseers of 
the poor, Arthur Tucker, Arthur C. S. 







*■+%■*> 



Ipv ■# 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Randlett : City physician. Dr. J. ('.. 
Quimby; Board of health, I). L. Davis, 
Dr. W. H. True, Fred A. Floyd. 

The police department of the city is 
under the direction of a board of police 
commissioners, appointed by the gover- 
nor and council of New Hampshire. 
The present commissioners are Frank 
F. Busiel, Fred C. Sanborn, Charles \Y. 
Vaughan. The police force consists of 
a city marshal, Henry K. W. Scott ; as- 
sistant marshal, Frank A. Bailey; and 
four patrolmen, Bert M. Hutchins. 
Charles A. Harvell, Charles E. Small, 



nine companies of firemen, divided as 
follows : one steamer companv, two hook 
and ladder companies, and six hose com- 
panies. In connection with the fire de- 
partment is the latest fire alarm telegraph 
service, with steam whistle and gong at- 
tachments. The city has one hunched 
and six hydrants, including seventeen 
private hydrants, supplied with water 
from the Laconia water-works, and hav- 
ing a powerful head of water, ready for 
immediate use at all times. In addition 
to the modern hydrant service, the city 
owns thirteen large reservoirs, distrib- 




mill -- ^^ 

, i^* W^ ^»-- * f ifi *t3 

mm r rlM - - JJLJL— 

fill -' — -— —t*" . ^1 ^gii stT^ 



- 




Masi mil I 



James B. Fernald, who patrol the streets 
of the city both day and night. The 
police court of Laconia also derives its 
authority from the state of New Hamp- 
shire. George H. Everett is presiding 
justice, True W. Thompson is associate 
justice, and Martin B. Plummer is clerk. 
The Laconia fire department is, and 
has been for many years, one of the 
most efficient volunteer fire departments 
in New Hampshire. The total manual 
force at the present time consists of a 
chief engineer, Albert W. Wilcox, with 
three assistant engineers, John M. San- 
born, Albert Griffin, William Harris, and 



uted about the city, which can be used 
in emergencies. The steam fire engine, 
ladder trucks, hose carriages, etc., are 
kept in good condition, with plenty of 
good hose, and horses are available al 
all times to haul the apparatus to fires. 

Laconia's public schools are under 
the management of a board of educa- 
tion, elected by the voters. The pre> 
ent board consists of Charles L. Pulsifer, 
William A. Plummer, Albert C. Moore, 
Dennis O'Shca. Mrs. I.ydia I'.. Warner. 
Mrs. Mary Gale llibbard, Dr. Clifton S. 
Abbott, John G. Quimby, and William H. 
Flanders. The citv owns eleven school 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



2 5 



buildings and hires two more, employ- 
ing a corps of thirty-six teachers. Joseph 
H. Blaisdell is superintendent of schools, 
and Hoyt H. Tucker is principal of the 
high school. The annual appropriation 
of the city for this department is from 
$20,000 to $25,000. 




Odd Fellows' Opera House. 

Laconia has two public libraries, one 
at Lakeport with about 2,000 books, and 
one at Laconia with 7,000 books. These 
libraries are maintained by an annual 
appropriation from the city, and are 
under the management of a board 
of library trustees, consisting at I 
the present time of Messrs. \Y. 
J. Morrison, Chas. C. Davis, John ! 
T. Busiel. William F. Knight. 
Chas. K. Sanborn, Chas. F. Locke, 
and A. Stanton Owen. 

At the present time the libra- 
ries are in rented rooms, but by 
the generosity of the late Major 
Napoleon B. Gale, the city will 
soon have a magnificent public 
library building. Major Gale be- 
queathed the bulk of his large 
estate to the city for the pur- 
pose of purchasing a suitable lot 
for a park and the erection of a 
library or memorial building. It 
has been thought best to com- 
bine the legacies for the two purposes, 
and with this end in view, the large 
property of the late John C. Moulton, 
located on the corner of Main and 
Church streets, has been purchased as 
a site for the park and library build- 



ing. The executors of the Gale will have 
nearly settled the estate, and announce 
that in a short time they shall have a 
fund of about $150,000 in readiness to 
lay out the park, beautify the grounds, 
erect a memorial library building, and 
maintain the same, which probably will 
not be excelled by any struc- 
ture of the kind in New Hamp- 
shire. 

Another institution in which 
Laconia takes pride is the La- 
conia Cottage Hospital. The 
late Mrs. Rhoda C. Ladd, in 
January. 1893, left to Laco- 
nia the residue of her estate, 
amounting to nearly $10,000, 
for the establishment of a hos- 
pital whenever the city raised 
an equal amount. This fund 
has been increased from time 
* a Si to time, and, pending the es- 
tablishment of a permanent 
hospital at some future date, 
public-spirited citizens in 1898 fitted up 
and opened a cottage hospital in the 
former residence of the late Rhoda 
Ladd, on Court street. This hospital is 
most excellently equipped, and is main- 




M Building, Lakeport. 

tained by charity and an annual appro- 
priation from the city council. 

Laconia is well supplied with churches 
and religious organizations. There is 
one Congregational church, two baptist, 
two Methodist, two Free Baptist, two 



26 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Roman Catholic, one Christian, one Ad- 
vent, one Unitarian, and one Episcopal, 
besides Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation rooms and a branch of the Salva- 
tion Army. Nearly all of the churches 
own commodious, and in some cases 
magnificent, church buildings, and there 
are numerous missionary societies, Chris- 
tian Endeavor societies, and kindred 
organizations connected with nearly all 
of the churches. 

Two G. A. R. posts, one military com- 
pany, a large Masonic fraternity with 
elegant rooms in a recently-erected 



by a private corporation. No city in 
New England can boast a purer or bet- 
ter supply of drinking-water, and the 
head is sufficient for fire purposes and 
light manufacturing. Laconia has a 
good sewerage system, installed a few 
years ago at an expense of nearly 
$120,000. But few cities in New Eng- 
land of Laconia's size can boast of more 
concrete sidewalks. Large amounts of 
money have been invested in good 
walks, and there are but few streets in 
Laconia which have no concrete side- 
walk, while nearly all of the more im- 




Masonic temple, the most pretentious 
structure in the city, Odd Fellows, 
Daughters of Rebekah, Knights of Pyth- 
ias, Good Templars, Red Men, United 
Workmen, Pilgrim Fathers. Knights of 
Honor, two Building and Loan associ- 
ations, a Board of Trade, Ancient Or- 
der of Hibernians, Foresters, New Eng- 
land Order of Protection, and perhaps a 
dozen more organizations in these lines 
leave but little or nothing to be desired 
in this direction. 

Laconia has a splendid water supply, 
pumped from Lake Winnipesaukee and 
distributed throughout the entire city 



portant streets have substantial concrete 
walks upon both sides of the highway. 

Among other advantages which Laco- 
nia possesses as a desirable city for res- 
idential or business purposes, might be 
mentioned two telephone exchanges, the 
New England Co. and the Citizens', the 
latter a local corporation, both having 
a large list of patrons. An electric 
street railroad connects the two ends of 
the city, Laconia and Lakeport, and 
during the present summer of 1899 its 
tracks were extended to The Weirs, 
affording an opportunity to ride six or 
seven miles entirely within the city 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN, 



2 7 



limits, and along the lake shore among 
some of the most beautiful scenery of 
New England. Laconia's streets air 
lighted by electricity, and private resi- 
dences are illuminated by both gas and 
electricity, while gas is now being largely 
introduced as a fuel for cooking and 
heating as well as illumination. 

In dry goods, clothing, carpetings. 
furniture, and perhaps some other lines, 
Laconia boasts the largest stores and 
the largest stocks to be found in New 
Hampshire, and these establishments 
have a well-earned reputation for selling 
goods at retail at lower prices than can 
be obtained even in the city of Boston, 
in many cases. 

Financially, Laconia is the headquar- 
ters for a large territory of surrounding 
towns and villages. There are three 
national banks in the city, with a com- 
bined capital of 5250,000, besides three 
savings banks with aggregate deposits 
of over one million and a half. 

Laconia has three opera houses, one 
of them generally conceded to be one 
of the handsomest in New Hampshire. 
All of the best theatrical companies visit 
this city, and there are always plenty of 
attractions in this line. In the summer 
s \ison the entire surrounding country, 
at The Weirs, Lake Shore Park, and 
other points easily reached by the shores 
of the lakes, is a veritable picnic ground, 
most of the shores around the lakes 
being open to all comers, while hundreds 
of summer cottages dot the islands and 
shores of YVirmipesaukee and Winne- 
squam, and afford a quiet retreat for 
their owners in the city. 

The foregoing pages give but a hint 
at Laconia's many advantages and at- 
tractions. Laconia is a city, with all 
the conveniences and facilities of city 
life, for business, manufacturing, and 
home life, and at the same time offers 
the enjoyment of country life in its 
charming location, beautiful shaded 
streets, magnificent views, and unsur- 
passed scenery of both lakes and 
mountains. 



A Census of Laconia in 1836. 



John Farmer, who was secretary of 

the New Hampshire Historical Society 
in 1836, compiled a census of Laconia, 
then Meredith bridge, which is still 
preserved, and probably very nearly 
correct, reading as follows : 

•• Population of Meredith bridge Vil- 
lage, June I, 1836, embracing the ter- 
ritory one mile on the Main road lead- 
ing through Meredith to Gilmanton, the 
village lying in Meredith and Gilford." 

The heads of families, the names 
thereof, and the number in each family 
appear as follows : 

" Smith Jewett, 10 ; Stephen Boynton, 
4: Nathaniel batchelder, 7: Mrs. Rob- 
binson, 5; Isaac M. Parker, 10; the 
Rev. J. K. Young, 4: Salmon Steavens, 
5; Daniel J. Dinsmore, 3 ; Ben ning Mug- 
ridge, 6: Nicholas Gilman, 2: Charles 
Parker. 6: Nathan Bagley, 7: Osgood 
Bagley, 2: Mrs. Cheney, 7 ; Mr. Dan- 
forth, 2 : F. W. Boynton, 9; Alpha Ste- 
vens, 5; Samuel M ugridge, 2 ; Josiah 
Crosby, 7: S. ('. Lyford, 1 ; John T. 
Coffin, 7 : (leorge Hopkiuson, 6: Moses 
E. Piper, 6: Francis Russell, 12; 
Thomas Eastman, 13; John M. Fitch, 
4 : P. \Y. Downing. 5 ; M. J. boynton. 3 ; 
Alfred bean. 5; Mrs. Dow. 4 ; John 
Wardwell, 5; T. D. Sollies. |: 1. W. 
Mudgett, 6 ; I. 1'.. Taylor, j. ; S. 1'erley. 
9; J. L. Perlev. 1 ; Daniel Tucker. 3 ; 
Winthrop Young, 6; Hiram bean..): 
Samuel H. Bean, 4: Mr. Dimond, 5 ; A. 
Brigham, 5: Widow Allen. 31; A. T. 
Parker, 2; Hugh Wilson. 6; Widow 
Quimby, 6 ; Widow Swasey. 32 : Elijah 
Quimby, 15; Jonathan Hill, 8; H. H. 
Robinson, 10; S. Lawrence, 2: J. I*. 
Clough, 9 ; George L. Sibley 7: J. San- 
born, 8; J. Cookson, 11 ; Thomas Piper, 
3: M. P." Buzzell, 6 ; Isaiah Merrill. 8." 

The above includes a total of 58 fam- 
ilies and a population of 3S4. It will be 
noticed that the Widow Allen is accred- 
ited with 31 members in her household 
and the Widow Swasey with 32. Both 
of these kept boarding-houses. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



29 



The Laconia Car Company Works. 



The Laconia car shops, under the 
management of the Laconia Car Com- 
pany Works, of which Hon. Erank Jones 
of Portsmouth is president and principal 
owner, with Hon. Edward H. Oilman of 
Exeter as general manager and treas- 
urer, is the largest single industry in the 
city of Laconia, and also one of the 
laigest, most important and most widely- 
known in New Hampshire. 

The or ig i- 
nal Laconia 
car shops 
were started 
by the late 
Charles Ran- 
let in 1 S 4S , 
and was first 
known as the 
C. Ranlet Car 
Manufac till- 
ing Co. In 
1849 Mr. Jo- 
seph Ranlet 
was taken in- 
to partnership 
and the firm 
name was the 
Ranlet Car 
C o m p a n y . 
This partner- 
ship con tin- 
ued until the 
death of Mr. 
Charles Ran- 
let in Octo- 
ber, 1 85 1. In 
December of 
the following 
year, the surviving partner, Joseph Ran- 
let, formed a partnership with the late 
Hon. John C. Moulton, continuing the 
business under the name of the Moulton 
& Ranlet Car Company. In January, 




Hon. Frank Jones 



under the corporate name of Laconia 
Car Company. Messrs. Moulton and 
Putnam still being the principal owners. 
In 1889, the late Mr. Moulton sold out 
his interest in the corporation to his 
partner, Mr. I'erley Putnam, who carried 
on the car building industry, practically 
alone in its ownership and management 
until 1897, when the entire property 
passed into the hands of Hon. Frank 
Jones and his assoc iates. 

The new corporation, chartered under 
the name of 
The Laconia 
( 'ar ( lompany 
Works, w a s 
organized on 
Feb. 25th, 
1897, and the 
board of offi- 
ce is of the 
corpo ration 
at the present 
time a r e as 
follows : 

I 'reside 11 t . 
Hon. Erank 
Jones. 

Treasure r , 
E. H. Gilman. 
Directo r s . 
Hon. Frank 
I ones, E. H. 
Gilman, B. .\. 
Kimball. C. I . 
Stone, Dennis 
O'Shea. 

The ori g i - 
nal plant was 
comparativ e- 
1 y a small 
concern, with cheap wooden buildings 
and old-fashioned machinery. Put the 
wooden buildings have gradually given 
way to most substantial structures of 
brick, equipped with the latest ma- 



1865, another company was formed un- chines in every department. The plant 

now covers seven acres of land in the 
very heart of the city of Laconia, and a 
large proportion of this property is 
covered with the foundries, wood-work 
ing shops, setting-up shops, painting 
shops, storehouses, etc., including the 
immense four-story brick structure de- 



der the name of the Ranlet Manufactur- 
ing Co., the members of the concern be- 
ing John C. Moulton, Joseph Ranlet and 
Perley Putnam, who continued in busi- 
ness until April 20, 1878, at which time 
Mr. Ranlet retired. 

In 1882 the company was re-organized 



3° 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



voted to the malleable iron foundry in- 
dustry, which is operated in connection 
with the car construction business. 

When the car plant was started, 
nothing but freight cars were manufac- 
tured, but afterwards facilities were 
added for turning out all kinds of 
passenger cars, and the Laconia car 
shops soon won a national reputation 
for building first-class cars of every 
description. During the past few years 
the introduction of electric railroads in 
all parts of the United States has devel- 
oped a new branch of this car-building 
industry, and to-day one of the most im- 
portant departments of the Laconia car 



merit is pushed to its full capacity, and 
there are prospects of plenty of work in 
this line for months to come. 

The car shops now employ about five 
hundred men, and as these are, of course, 
in many cases the heads of families, the 
importance of the car business to Laco- 
nia can be easily seen. Vast quantities 
of lumber are consumed every year 
(estimated at 4,000,000 feet), making a 
ready market for much of the better 
timber within a radius of fifty miles of 
Laconia, while, of course large quantities 
of Southern, Western and foreign woods 
are brought from a distance. 

The malleable iron foundry depait 





* St ■ 


■■-r^raf^ BET 1 *****^^" 


OCKET -■ - rTr WS 


U0 ■S^g£25MtfVtt£^ 


■KSBBBBfi'S'"""— — — — l^SiEE 



Car built for the Woonsocket (R. I.) Street Railway Company. 



shops is the construction of electric 
street cars. 

In the manufacture of all styles of 
electric cars, this concern has achieved 
a reputation second to no car company 
in the United States and the handsome 
and substantial products of the Laconia 
shops can be seen upon the trolley lines 
of Boston, New York, and, in fact, nearly 
all the large cities of the United 
States. The demand for electric cars 
appears to be constantly increasing and 
there is evidently a great future for this 
branch of the business. At the present 
time the electric car construction depart- 



ment was established a few years ago, 
and this foundry is one of the largest of 
the kind in New England. 

The motive power for operating the 
machinery in the plant includes steam, 
water power, and electricity. During the 
past two years, thousands of dollars 
have been invested in rearranging and 
improving the plant, adding modern 
machinery and in every way making the 
facilities up to date for turning out the 
best possible work at the least possible 
expense. 

The Boston office at No. 50 State 
street is the general headquarters of the 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



3 1 



corporation, and the office of the treas- 
urer and manager, Hon. E. H. Gilman. 
Mr. Peter Walling, formerly connected 
with the Boston <N: Maine railroad, as 
master bridge constructor, is the superin- 
tendent of the plant at Laconia. Nearly 
all the foremen in the various depart- 
ments, and in fact a large proportion of 
the employes, are men who have grown 
up in the car-building business and have 
found employment in these shops nearly 
all their lives. 

The above sketch, of course, gives but 



and improvement in methods and pro- 
duction are the aims in every depart- 
ment of the business and the prospects 
for future success and a large increase 
in business are most excellent. 



Colonel Edmund Tetley. 

Colonel Edmund Tetley, mayor of 
the city of Laconia, and colonel of the 
First regiment, New Hampshire Na- 
tional Guard, was born in Bradford, 
Yorkshire county, England, October 26, 




Interior uf Car built for the Woonsocket (R. I.) Street Railway Company. 



a' faint idea of the completeness of the 
Laconia car plant, or of its importance 
to Laconia. From a small concern, em- 
ploying less than one hundred men, it 
has grown to require almost a regiment 
of employe's in its shops, and its capac- 
ity has been increased from a few rough 
freight cars per week, to a palatial 
modern passenger car per day. Under its 
present management the business is con- 
ducted on a substantial basis; excellence 



[842, son of William and Mary Ann 
(Brayshaw) Tetley. He attended the 
schools in England until he was twelve 
years of age, when with his family he 
came to America. At the age of nine- 
teen he enlisted in the United States 
Marine Corps at Portsmouth, and saw 
some active service. He was at the at- 
tack on Forts Jackson and Philip, and 
at the capture of New Orleans by Ad- 
miral Farragut, being on board of the 



3 2 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



United States sloop of war Portsmouth, and came back to New Hampshire in 
which was subsequently stationed at September as the lieutenant-colonel of 



New Orleans for nearly four years. At 
the close of the war he returned to 
Amesbury, Mass., subsequently going 
to Appleton, Wis., and then to Utica, 
N. Y. From LItica he went to Olney- 
ville, R. I., and thence to Lowell, Mass., 



the command. After the regiment was 
mustered out of the United States ser- 
vice and the old organization of the 
New Hampshire National Guard was 
resumed, Colonel Tetley was again pro- 
moted to colonel of the regiment, a 



where he obtained employment in a position which he now holds, 
paper-box factory. Somewhat later he Colonel Tetley has held numerous 
obtained employment in a paper-box political positions, among them select- 
factory in Methuen, from which he next man of Laconia, high sheriff of Belknap 





went to Haverhill, Mass. In 1S73 he 
came to Laconia, 
where he entered 
the employ of Mr. 
Frank P. Holt, a 
man uf acturer of 
paper boxes. Five 
years later Mr. Tet- 
ley succeeded Mr. 
Holt and has since 
carried on a large 
and successful 
business on h i s 
own account. 

Mr. Tetley 's in- 
terest in military 
affairs did not end 
with his war ser- 
vice. Soon after 
coming to Laconia 
he joined Company 
K, Third regiment 
of the state Nation- 
al Guard. He was 
made lieutenant in 
1873, and a year 
later was promoted 
captain, serving in 
this rank until his 

resignation in the year 1883. Some 
years later the old Company K was 
disbanded, whereupon Mr. Tetley or- 
ganized another company which took 
the place in the same regiment, of 
which he was chosen captain. He was 
promoted to the rank of major, May 8, 
1894. He held this position at the When men of small means found out 

time of President McKinley's first call that a business enterprise, which no 
for volunteers, and the Third New one of them could conduct alone, was 
Hampshire regiment was selected for possible for them by uniting their labor 
duty at the front. Major Tetley went and their capital they discovered the 
to Chickamauga Park with his regiment secret of cooperation. When they found 



V 



Col. Edmund Tetley, Mayor of Laconia. 



county, a member of the first city coun- 
cil, member of the 
state legislature in 
1894, etc. March, 
1899, he was elect- 
ed mayor of the 
city of Laconia, and 
was inaugurated on 
March 21. In pol- 
itics Colonel Tet- 
ley is a Republi- 
can. He is very 
popular in frater- 
nal circles, and is 
a member of a doz- 
en or more organ- 
izations. 

Colonel Tet ley- 
was married De- 
cember 9, 1868, to 
Ella F. Merrill of 
Lowell, Mass. Of 
their seven chil- 
dren, five are liv- 
ing : Edmund B., 
now a student in 
theology ; Guy M., 
superintendent of 
the Tetley box fac- 
tory ; Gertrude, a resident of Lowell, 
Mass. ; Blanche, and Charles, now at 
school in Laconia. 



Laconia Building: & Loan Association. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN, 



33 



out that by uniting their surplus earn- 
ings they could provide themselves with 
homes of their own instead of remain- 
ing subject to the demands of land- 
lords, they put cooperation to one of its 
most beneficent uses. 

The concentration of capital is daily 
going on, for capitalists have learned 
that by this means (cooperation) they 
can conduct great enterprises with more 
certainty of success than by any other. 

Now what is good for the man of 
large means is equally good for the man 
of small means ; but the latter class 
seem to have been much longer in find- 
ing it out, and have always plodded 
along because they believed themselves 
too poor to accomplish anything. Sin- 
gle-handed a man is, but when he is af- 
forded an opportunity to pool his sav- 
ings, though small they may be, he 
should not hesitate to do so, for by such 
methods he receives valuable assistance 
and is enabled to raise himself much 
more easily from the financial "slough 
of despond " in which he with the 
ninety and nine are wallowing. With 
the object of cooperation in view, and 
to give to Laconia an institution that 
would be a benefit to its people, in the 
year 1887, the formation of this organi- 
zation was begun by Walter S. Baldwin 
and Charles W. Tyler, who worked 
assiduously for its completion. 

On the 14th day of January, 1888, 
the association was incorporated under 
the laws of the state, and began busi- 
ness January 31, 1888, by issuing its 
first series of shares, five hundred in 
number, which were promptly taken. 

The Laconia Building and Loan 
Association is now an established fact. 
It has a large membership, and offers 
both depositors and borrowers advan- 
tages unequaled by any other system 
of banking known to the world. It 
combines the principles of a savings 
bank and a stock company. It is au- 
thorized to issue shares to the amount 
of $1,000,000, which are nominally 
worth $200 each, but are paid for in in- 
stallments of $1.00 per month, or bet- 
ter, these monthly payments, together 
with the dividends which they have 



earned, will at some future date (usu- 
ally about eleven years), equal $200. 

If the shares have been used in se- 
curing a home, it is then the borrower's, 
free from all incumbrances. ( >n the other 
hand, if they have been held for invest- 
ment only, they will then be paid in 
cash. During the little more than 
eleven years of its existence the asso- 
ciation has met with deserved success, 
and the many homes that have been 
built through the assistance given to its 
members is proof positive of its true 
worth and merit. 

Twenty-three series of shares have 
been issued during the time, and its 
membership has numbered as high as 
425, holding an issue of 2,400 shares of 
stock. 

The following named, many of whom 
have been connected with the associa- 
tion since its formation, comprise its 
management : Edmund Tetley, presi- 
dent ; Alburtis S. Gordon, vice-presi- 
dent ; Albert C. Moore, secretary ; 
Charles XV. Tyler, treasurer; Stephen S. 
Jewett, attorney. Directors, Walter S. 
Baldwin, William F. Knight, Charles W. 
Yaughan, Charles F. Richards. Charles 
J. Austin, William A. Plummer, Frank 
P. Webster. Louis J. Truland, Stephen 
S. Jewett, Alburtis S. Gordon, Charles 
W. Tyler, and Albert C. Moore. 

The assets of the association amount 
to nearly Si Go, 000, nearly all of which 
are investments within the city limits. 

The office of the association is lo- 
cated in the Masonic Temple, where it 
occupies a handsome apartment. 



James McGloughlin. 



James McGloughlin, proprietor of the 

Belknap brass and Iron Foundry, is a 
native of England, born March 21, 
1 &53i > n Manchester, England. He 
came to this country during the Civil 
War. in [863, with his parents, and has 
lived most of the time since then in 
Laconia. Mr. McGloughlin received 
his education in the little old red 
schoolhouse which formerly stood near 



34 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



the residence of Ex-Mayor S. B. Smith 
on Harvard street, and which was for 
many years the only school building on 
the north side of the river. This little 
one-story schoolhouse, with two rooms, 
sheltered many hundreds of Laconia's 
school children, forty years ago, and 
was finally sawed into two parts and 
remodeled into two tenement houses 
which still stand on Middle street. Mr. 
McGloughlin commenced to learn the 
moulder's trade at the foundry of the 
late Benjamin J. Cole in Lakeport, and 
finished with 
George Rollins 
in Laconia. In 
1877 he remov- 
ed to Concord, 
N. H., where he 
was employed 
at his trade by 
W. P. Ford. In 
1889 he came 
back to Laco- 
nia and bought 
out Arthur 
Smith, in what 
was known as 
the Belknap 
Iron and Brass 
Foundry. This 
foundry busi- 
ness had pre- 
viously been 
con ducted by 
three different 
parties, but the 
concern was a 
failu re finan- 
cially up to the 
time of Mr. Mc- 
Gloughlin's advent. Under his careful 
management, however, the concern has 
prospered, and by strict attention to bus- 
iness and enterprising methods, he has 
built up a large and prosperous industry. 

Mr. McGloughlin was married to 
Mrs. Anna Greene, March 24, 1879, 
and they have one daughter, Miss Flor- 
ence S. McGloughlin. 

Mr. McGloughlin is an Episcopalian, 
and a member of the Knights of Pyth- 
ias, which he joined in Concord in 
1879, also of the Ancient Order of 




James McGloughlin 



United Workmen, which he joined in 
the same city in 1S87. 

He has held several public offices, be- 
ing elected a selectman of Ward 4 in 
1895, and a councilman from the same 
ward in 1896. In 1897 he represented 
his ward in the legislature. 

As a business man and manufacturer, 
Mr. McGloughlin has been very success- 
ful. His iron foundry business is one of 
the largest in this section of New Hamp- 
shire and he supplies not only the city 
of Laconia, but the city of Franklin, and 
numerous small 
towns and vil- 
lages with the 
iron ca s t i n g s 
required in the 
n u merous ma- 
chine shops, 
mills, and fac- 
tories. Mr. Mc- 
Gloughlin is 
p o pular with 
his em p 1 o y e s 
and always pro- 
vides a Thanks- 
giving turkey 
for every family 
man in his es- 
tabl ishment. 
Mr. McGlough- 
lin is a Repub- 
lican in politics 
and as a mem- 
ber of the legis- 
lature and in 
the city council 
chamber always 
took a promi- 
nent part in all 
legislation. He is a public-spirited citi- 
zen, is interested in the Laconia board 
of trade, of which he is an active mem- 
ber, and is always ready to assist in every 
way in his power in any movement which 
promises to advance the interests of 
Laconia. 

Recently Mr. McGloughlin became 
interested in the development of the 
McGloughlin Positive Friction Clutch, 
of which he is the proprietor and manu- 
facturer, handling this industry in con- 
nection with his regular foundry busi- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



35 



ness. For the uninitiated, it may be 
well to explain that a " clutch " is a de- 
vice attached to a line of shafting in 
factories and shops, whereby a portion 
of the shafting can be cut off and 
stopped, or thrown into motion again, 
without resorting to the manipulation of 
beltings, etc. By the use of the Mc- 
Gloughlin Positive Friction Clutch, for 
instance, it is now possible by the sim- 
ple movement of a lever to instantly 
start up a heavy piece of machinery 
like an electric dynamo, or two-faced 
electric machines. The McGloughlin 
clutch is conceded to be the best in the 
market, for electricians have always 
found it dif- 
ficult to keep 
a two-faced 
dynamo in 
step, but 
with this 
clutch when 
once in step 
it can never 
slip or strain 
u p o n the 
shafting, as 
would nat- 
urally be ex- 
pected from 
suddenly 
connecting 
a dor m ant 
machine to 
a rapidly- 
revolving 
shaft. The 
McGloughlin clutch starts the machin- 
ery by friction alone, but as soon as the 
machine or shafting is moving in unison 
with the shafting from which the motive 
power is derived, the friction clutch 
locks automatically and becomes a pos- 
itive clutch, which cannot be shaken 
loose or slip. In the same easy manner 
the machinery can be stopped and the 
motive power removed, without disturb- 
ing the main line of shafting or interfering 
in any way with other machines which 
may be in operation on the same line. 

Inventors have for a long time sought 
for a device of this kind, and Mr. Mc- 
Gloughlin appears to have hit upon a 



clutch which not only answers every re- 
quirement, but apparently cannot be 
improved. Manufacturers and mill 
men everywhere who have used the 
McGloughlin clutch are loud in its 
praise, and as the field tor its usefulness 
is almost world-wide, a large industry 
will undoubtedly be built up from this 
invention. Although the clutch is com- 
paratively a new thing upon the market 
it is called for by manufacturers in all 
parts of the United States, and is everv- 
where pronounced the best device of 
the kind which has yet been brought to 
public notice. Of course the clutch i> 
protected by patents and competent 

judges state 
that the in- 
vention is 
worth a for- 
tune if prop- 
erly i n tr o- 
duced. 




Carroll & 
Crapo. 



Residence of James McGloughlin 



One of the 
metro po 1 i- 
tan e s t a b - 
lishments of 
the City on 
the L a k e s 
is the ton- 
sorial estab- 
lishment of 
Michael J. 
Carroll and 
Joseph Crapo, located at No. 487 Main 
street. This shop is the handsomest and 
best equipped of any in the line here ; 
the chairs are comfortable, everything is 
neat as wax-work, and the razors are 
always sharp. In addition to Messrs. 
Carroll and Crapo here can be found Mr. 
\i ( ). Cox, who has a reputation second 
to no one in Laconia, as an artist with 
the razor and shears. This establish- 
ment has the steady patronage of many 
of our most fastidious citizens, and it 
surely merits the success which it re- 
ceives. Messrs. Carroll and Crapo are 
both young men, but they pay strict atten- 
tion to business and are '-sure winners."' 



36 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The Laconia Hardware Company. 



Until within a comparatively few 
years, the hardware trade of Laconia 
was handled by dealers in general mer- 
chandise. In 1886 Messrs. George W. 
Riley and Farrar & Cilley built the so- 
called Belmont block, on the south 
side of the river, on the site formerly 
occupied by the old Tremont Hotel. 
Mr. Riley put a small stock of general 
hardware into one of the stores in the 
block, and this was the first attempt in 
Laconia to conduct a hardware and 
paint store. In 1887 Messrs. Leven- 
saler &: Smart bought out Mr. Riley, 



in Belmont block was too small to 
handle the increased trade of the store, 
the business having thus early out- 
grown its quarters. Consequently, 
when the Masonic Temple was erected, 
the corner store and basement were 
leased, and the Laconia Hardware Co. 
removed to its present location in Oc- 
tober, 1896. 

This concern can boast of the larg- 
est store and the largest stock of general 
hardware, paints, iron and steel, mill 
supplies, bicycles, fishing tackle, and 
sporting goods, to be found in northern 
New Hampshire. 

The motto of the firm has alwavs 




*fy 




■ • 



The Laconia Hardware Sture. 



and continued for one year. Mr. 
Levensaler then retired from the busi- 
ness, and Mr. Albert T. Quinby came 
into the concern. This was in 1888, 
and the Laconia Hardware company 
was born at that time. Quinby &: 
Smart continued for about one year, 
and then Mr. Quinby assumed full con- 
trol, employing his son, Edwin N. 
Quinby, as head salesman and Charles 
Dearborn as assistant, with his daugh- 
ter, Miss Nellie P. Quinby, as book- 
keeper. 

The business increased rapidly, and 
in 1895 E. N. Quinby was admitted to 
the firm. It was found that the store 



been : First quality goods, small profits 
and square dealing. This motto is lived 
up to every hour of the day and every 
day in the year, and it has built up a 
large and prosperous business. 

There are now employed in the store, 
besides the members of the firm, two 
men and a lady book-keeper, making 
five persons in all. Mr. Edwin N. Quin- 
by is the buyer for the concern and also 
the traveling salesman. He covers the 
entire northern section of New Hamp- 
shire and by constant hustle and square 
dealing has built up an immense trade 
in hardware among the retail dealers of 
the north country. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



37 



Mr. Albert T. Quinby is the financial 
man of the business, having charge of 
the whole concern, but more especially 
paying attention to the settlement of 
accounts, collection of bills, and other 
financial matters. 




Albert T. Quinby. 

Probably but few of the general public 
are aware of the immense stock of 
merchandise which is carried by the 
Laconia Hardware Co. They have a 
large storehouse in the rear of the 
Masonic Temple which is filled almost 
entirely with iron and steel for black- 
smith supply. The basement under 
their store is packed full of paints, oils, 
rope, glass, and nails galore, of every 
size and style. Everything in the line 
of builders' and carpenters' hardware is 
carried in stock. Cutlery is another 
department which receives much atten- 
tion. Bicycles, horse blankets, lawn 
mowers, garden tools, carpenters' tools, 
brushes, in fact, it would take a bigger 
publication that the Illustrated Laconian 
to catalogue the stock carried by this 
enterprising concern. 

In the line of sporting goods, Messrs. 
Quinby & Son are the headquarters for 
this section of New Hampshire. They 
always have a choice line of shotguns, 
rirles, etc., and every kind of ammuni- 
tion and hunting supplies. The fishing 
tackle department is a treat for anglers, 



as their stock in this line includes both 
cheap and costly rods, lines, reels, hooks, 
baskets, landing nets and, in short, every- 
thing used for brook, river and lake fish- 
ing at any season of the year. 

The Laconia Hardware establishment 
is a credit to Laconia and the proprie- 
tors deserve success for their enterprise, 
courteous treatment of patrons, and 
square dealing. 

Albert T. Quinby, the senior member 
of the firm, was born in Portland, 
Maine, in 1845., At the age of 17 years 
he entered the employ of the hardware 
concern in Searsport, Me., and after six 
years took an interest in the concern. 
This business was continued with vari- 
ous change until 1S8S, when Mr. Quin- 
by, who was then the head of the con- 
cern, sold out his interest in the busi- 
ness and removed to Laconia. Mr. 
Quinby has always been prominent in 
society and in the Masonic fraternities. 
being four times elected W. M. of his 
home lodge. Since coming to Laconia 
he has joined Pythagorean Council and 
Pilgrim Commandery, Knights Templar, 




*» *cr 




Edwin N. Quinby. 

in which he has taken great interest and 
held offices. 

Edwin N. Quinby was born in Sears- 
port, Maine, in 1867. He received his 
education in the public schools and at 
the age of 17 years entered the employ 



3« 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



of a wholesale hardware concern in 
Portland, Maine, where he remained un- 
til 1888, when he came to Laconia to 
enter the employ of the Laconia Hard- 
ware Co. 



The Late Daniel S. Dinsmoor. 




On the morning of March 24, 1S83, 
the people of Laconia were shocked by 
the announcement of the very sudden 
death of Hon. Daniel Stark Dinsmoor. 
He was stricken instantly, without 
warning, when 
apparen tly in 
good health, and 
died immediate- 
ly without re- 
turning to con- 
sciousness. 

The death of 
Mr. Din s m o o r 
was regarded as 
a public calami- 
ty. He was a 
sch ol arly and 
accom p 1 i s h e d 
man, of fine per- 
sonal appear- 
ance, and uni- 
versally loved 
and respec ted. 
H e had just 
reached his full 
and promising 
manhood when 
the s u m mons 
came and his 

earthly career 

closed forever. 

He was born 
in the village of Laconia, Sept. 23, 1837, 
the son of Daniel J. and Caroline (Stark) 
Dinsmoor, a descendant of John Dins- 
moor, a man much loved and respect- 
ed by the early settlers and even by the 
Indians as well, for his honesty and up- 
rightness ; he was also a descendant of 
Gen. John Stark of Revolutionary fame, 
"the hero of Bennington," whose family 
name he bore. 

He received his early education in 
the village schools and Gilford acad- 
emy, where he exhibited among other 




The Late Daniel S. Dinsmoor. 



qualifications a marked ability in decla- 
mation. After the course at the 
academy in his native village he went 
to New London Literary and Scientific 
Institution, at that time one of the 
leading institutions of the state, where 
he graduated with high honors in i860, 
his address before the society receiving 
especial commendation. For sometime 
after graduating he read law in the offices 
of Hon. Wm. Blair, Geo. W. Stevens, 
Esq., and Hon. O. A. J. Vaughan, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1864. 

In 1865 he 
was united in 
marriage to 
Amelia M.Whit- 
temore, the fririt 
of the union be- 
ing two sons, 
Arthur W. and 
A . Jameson 
Dinsmoor. Upon 
j the organization 
! of the Laconia 
National bank, 
in 1865, he was 
chosen cashier, 
which position 
he held until his 
death. He was 
frequently se- 
lected for polit- 
ical honor, hold- 
ing many im- 
portant offices, 
such as county 
treasurer, regis- 

1 ter of probate, 

representative 
to the legisla- 
ture of 1875, besides other minor offices, 
and was a member of Governor Che- 
ney's staff. In November, 1882, he was 
elected senator from the Laconia dis- 
trict, the issue being the Lake Shore 
railroad, although the district was con- 
ceded to be Democratic while he 
was always a Republican of un- 
questioned integrity. He was promi- 
nent in Masonic circles, having been 
master of Mt. Lebanon lodge ; he was 
also a member of Union Chapter. On 
the year previous to his demise he was 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



39 



invited by the local post of the Grand 
Army of the Republic to deliver the 
Memorial Day poem which he complied 
with, and we know of no more fitting 
manner of expressing the esteem in 
which he was held by his associates, 
than to quote a few lines of the poem 
delivered on the successive year. 

Standing to-night, where twelve months since 

He who has served yon, as a prince 

Does subjects' service till his sire 

tails him to state and duty higher; 

I should but partly voice your thought, 

Not naming him who held, unsought/* 

Your hearty and your honored call 

To stand in senatorial hall. 

And thus remind you of the claim, 

That memory has on Dinsmoor's name. 

I will but name him, any words of praise 

Are needless here to you who knew him well ; 

The memories that his welcome name will raise 

Are more than tongue or pen of mine can tell. 

For with you here as youth and man he dwelt, 

Gave you his service and his cordial cheer ; 

And you as kindred and as neighbors felt 

When he was from you borne upon his bier, 

The stroke that struck him down in manhood 

strong 
Reached to your hearts, reechoes in my song. 



Rev. J. Franklin Babb. 



Rev. J. Franklin Babb, although now 
located at Ashland, New Hampshire, is 
a Laconia boy, as he spent his boy- 
hood days in Lakeport and was edu- 
cated in our public schools. He was 
born in Lowell, Mass., May 20, 1S74, 
his parents being John W. and Josie 
H. (Damon) Babb. His mother was 
the daughter of Rev. Joseph B. Da- 
mon, at one time pastor of the First 
Baptist church of Lakeport. Rev. Mr. 
Babb is a lateral descendant of Gov. 
John Hancock of Massachusetts, and a 
direct descendant of the famous John 
Tufton Mason, who was granted the 
region now known as Maine and New 
Hampshire, in the old colonial times. 
He was educated in the public schools 
of Lakeport, academic course, and then 
making a three years' special study for 
the ministry. He was ordained in Ash- 
land, Feb. 23, 1898, as pastor of the 
Free Baptist church, his present charge. 

Rev. Mr. Babb's father died when he 
was six years old, and the young man 



worked in factoiies, etc., to continue 
his studies and prepare himself for his 
chosen work in the ministry. He is a 
self-made man, and is popular not only 
as a pastor but as a citizen, and highly 
esteemed by hundreds of friends in this 




Rev. J. Franklin Babb. 

section of New Hampshire. Rev. Mr. 
Babb has written quite a good deal for 
the press, especially in the line of 
poetry, and articles from his pen' are 
frequently seen in some of our leading 
New England publications. 



The Wardwell Needle Company. 



Among the many industries that have 
contributed so much to the development 
of Laconia as a manufacturing city is 
the plant of the Wardwell Needle Com- 
pany. This company was established 
in the early sixties by the late C. P. S. 
Wardwell and was under various man- 
agements with moderate success until 
the year 1885 when it passed into the 
hands of its present owners who imme- 
diately commenced the erection of new 
buildings and the installation of modern 
labor saving machinery, much of which 
is protected by patents and used ex- 
clusively by this company, bringing tin- 
whole plant to a state of perfection that 
has enabled the company to take a lead- 
ing position in the manufacture of the 



4° 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



celebrated Excelsior needles for all 
kinds of hosiery machinery. These 
needles are used exclusively by many of 
the largest knitting mills in the country 
and have a good reputation where 
known. 

The constant endeavor of this com- 
pany to give its customers the best that 
can be produced has brought them a 
large trade from all sections of the coun- 
try and the fact that the owners of these 
works manufacture and sell more latch 
needles each year than any manufacturer 



cal departments are under the personal 
supervision of Mr. S. A. Whitten, an 
expert needle maker, and the whole 
business is managed by Mr. Julius E. 
Wilson, the treasurer. He came to 
Laconia with the parties now owning the 
company and has devoted himself to 
the building up of a large permanent 
industry and that success has crowned 
his efforts goes without saying. In this 
connection a brief biographical sketch 
of Mr. Wilson and his connection with 
our city and its institutions is pertinent. 




^liiii 



The Wardwell Needle Company. 



in the world is a sufficient endorse- 
ment of the popularity of their goods. 
The stock room is filled with finished 
needles for all the different knitting 
machines in use and orders are usually 
filled upon same day they are received. 
A large number of employes are given 
constant work and the weekly disburse- 
ment of wages for a long series of years 
has been an important factor in the 
growth and improvement of that portion 
of the city. A liberal policy toward its 
help has always been characteristic of 
this concern, which has added largely to 
its prosperity, strikes or other labor 
troubles never occurring. The mechani- 



Julius E. Wilson, manager and treas- 
urer of the Wardwell Needle Co., was 
born in Swanzey, New Hampshire, July 
16, 1849. His early life was spent 
upon a farm, and he acquired his edu- 
cation in the public schools and acade- 
mies of that section. In 1867, after 
completing a course in the Bryant & 
Stratton Business College in Manches- 
ter, he entered the employ of the Mas- 
sachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., 
at Manchester, and was engaged in 
the insurance business for many years. 
Later he became manager of a large 
clothing house, where he remained until 
he came to this city in 1885, to take 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



4i 



charge of the Ward well needle busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Wilson married Morgia M. Por- 
ter of Manchester. 
They have no chil- 
dren. In religious 
matters he is a Uni- 
tarian. 

In secret and fra- 
ternal orders, Mr. Wil- 
son is connected with 
the Masonic and Odd 
Fellows fraternities, 
and he is also a mem- 
ber of the Home Mar- 
ket Club. He is an 
enthusiast in all mat- 
ters pertaining to 
hunting and fishing, 
and was one of the 
organizers of the Bel- 
knap County Fish and 
Game League, which 
was formed about two 
years ago, and already 
has, perhaps, the larg- 
est and strongest 
membership of any 
similar organization in New Hampshire. 
Mr. Wilson has been the president of 
this league from the start. He is also 
president of 
the Mutual 
Building and 
Loan Associ- 
ation, Lake- 
port, and is 
also a trustee 
of the City 
Savings-bank 
at the Laco- 
nia end of the 
city. 

In politics, 
Mr. Wilson 
is a staunch 
Republic a n . 
He was elect- 
ed a member 
of the first 
city council 
of Laconia, in 
1893, and has been reelected at every 
subsequent election, being at the pres- 




ent time the oldest member of the city 
govern* men t in point of service. In 
the city council Mr. Wilson has served 
upon the finance com- 
mittee, the roads and 
bridges committee, 
and other of the more 
important committees, 
devoting much of his 
time during the past 
six years to city affairs. 
His long service in the 
city council gives him 
perfect familiarity 
with all m unicipal 
affairs, and he has al- 
ways been one of the 
strongest members of 
this bodv. 



John W. Ashman. 



Julius E. Wilson. 




Residen 



John W. A s h m a n 
was born in Barnston, 
(hie., Oct. 14, 1849, 
his parents being Ed- 
ward and Sarah (Fol- 
ly) Ashman. His fath- 
er died Sept. 1, 1852, and John went to 
Walden, Caledonia county. Vermont, to 
live. In the public schools of this town 

he rece i v e d 
his education 
suppleme n t- 
ed by a term 
at Phillips 
academy in 
Danville.' Vt. 
Mr. Ash- 
man came to 
Laconia Mar. 
22, 1871, and 
entered t h e 
employ of the 
late Hor a c e 
Whicher. He 
remained un- 
til November, 
iS75.when he 
e n t ered the 
law office of 
E. I'. Jewell. 
Esq. He was admitted to the bar in 
March, 18S0, and continued in the prac- 






42 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



tice of his chosen profession until Janu- 
ary, 1S85, when he was elected treasurer 
of the Belknap Savings bank, which 
position he now occupies. 

Mr. Ashman is a Democrat in politics 
and has received numerous honors in 
the political line. He first entered the 
public service in March, 1880, as town 
clerk, and held that office five years. 
He was chosen librarian of the public 
library July, 1879, which position he 
held five years, and was also a trustee 
of the library for ten years. Mr. Ash- 
man was one of 
the members of 
the board of ed- 
ucation in 1 88 1, 
1882, and 1883, 
and was also 
clerk of the 
school district. 
He was a mod- 
erator at the 
annual town 
meeting, in 
March, 1890. 
H e served a s 
register of pro- 
bate for Bel- 
knap county for 
three terms. 
When the city 
government 
was inaugurat- 
ed Mr. Ashman 
was chosen a 
member of the 
first city coun- 
cil from Ward 5, 
and served as a 
member of the 
finance committee, 
man was elected as 
New Hampshire legislature from Ward 
5, which is one of the strongest Repub- 
lican wards in the city. 

Mr. Ashman is treasurer of the Laco- 
nia Hospital association, and First Uni- 
tarian society, also of the Laconia Land 
and Improvement Co. He was a charter 
member of Winnesquam Colony, No. 
14, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, and 
has held various offices in this order. 

Mr. Ashman was a member and trea- 



surer of Company K, New Hampshire 
National Guard, when this company 
was first formed by Captain Elbert 
Wheeler (now General Wheeler), and 
went with this company to the centen- 
nial celebration at Yorktown in 1881. 

In religious affairs Mr. Ashman affi- 
liates with the Unitarians. He is still 
unmarried. 



O'Shea Brothers' Establishment. 




John \Y. Ashman 



In 1898 Mr. Ash- 
a Democrat to the 



O'Shea Brothers' is perhaps the best 
known mercan- 
tile estab 1 i s h 
ment in central 
and north ern 
New Hamp- 
shire. The firm 
handles cloth- 
ing, dry goods, 
and furniture, 
and has grown 
from a small 
beginning in 
the year 1875 
to one of the 
largest stores 
and largest dis- 
tributors of 
goods in their 
line in this sec- 
t i o n of N e w 
England. 

On April 25, 
1875, Dennis 
O'Shea and his 
oldest brother, 
the late John 
O'Shea, c o m - 
menced the dry 
goods business in a little store in a 
building which then stood on the site 
of their present furniture department 
building. The Laconia Democrat office 
occupied the second floor of the build- 
ing, and Miss Kate Feeley conducted a 
millinery store in one side of the ground 
floor of the building, leaving about 1,100 
square feet for O'Shea Bros.' dry goods 
business. Both members of the firm 
had served a few years as clerks in 
similar establishments in Laconia, and 
consequently had a fair knowledge of 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOXI.W 



the business. Their first year's trade 
was an immense success, actually turn- 
ing the entire stock over seven times. 
Encouraged by the favor which their 
venture received from the public, they 
decided to put in a stock of ready-made 




O'Shea Bros.* Store in 1S75. 

clothing, and in December of the same 
year they leased the portion of the build- 
ing formerly occupied by Miss Feeley, 
and in this addition to their establish- 
ment put in a stock of clothing, engaging 
their brother, Eugene O'Shea, to take 
charge of this department. 

This venture, also, proved a success, 




O'Shea Bros." Store in 1S7S. 

but in a short time the firm again found 
itself pressed for room to accommodate 
their rapidly-increasing trade. In the 
spring of 1877, the late John C. Moul- 
ton built an addition to the rear of the 
building, which increased the floor 



space to 3,550 square feet. The sto< k 
of goods up to this time consisted only 
of dry goods and clothing, but next 
came a demand for carpetings, there 
being at that time only one small stock 
in town. To meet this demand, O'Shea 
Eros, leased more land in the rear of 
the Moulton building, and erected an- 
other addition, 35 by iS feet, for a 
carpet room. 

but the patronage of the establish- 
ment and the consequent demand for 
a larger and more varied stock had in 
the meantime increased faster than the 




( I'Shea Bros. 1 Store in 1882. 

accommodations, and ( >'Shea Bros, soon 
found themselves again cramped for 
room to conduct their growing business. 
In the spring of 1N7X they leased the 
land on the north side of their store, 
and erected a block of about thirty feet 
front and seventy feet depth. The old 
and new stores were connected and the 
new building accommodated the cloth- 
ing department on the first floor, while 
the carpet and custom-made clothing 
departments were upstairs. 

The new building gave about 4,000 
square feet more floor space, making 



44 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



the largest store in Laconia and proba- 
bly the largest in New Hampshire at 
that time. The establishment certainly 
appeared large for a town the size of 
Laconia, and many of our people pre- 
dicted a downfall and failure. Pluck 
and perseverance, however, won again, 
and in the autumn of 1S82, when the 
Laconia Democrat vacated the rooms 



store in New Hampshire, containing 
seventeen different departments. 

No further changes were made until 
the spring of 1886, when Mr. Moulton 
decided to erect the present Moulton 
opera house block. At this time O'Shea 
Bros, purchased the Mrs. J. H. Story 
property on Pleasant street and re- 
moved their own building there (now 




Present Store of O'Shea Bros. 



over the dry goods store and moved to 
Mill street, Messrs. O'Shea Bros, leased 
the vacated premises and put in a stock 
of furniture. They also induced Mr. 
Moulton to add a third story to the 
building, while they put a third story 
on their own building adjoining. At 
this time the original store of 1,100 
square feet had grown to an establish- 
ment of 13,000 square feet, the largest 



the Kirtland House property) to make 
room for the opera house block. The 
firm up to this time had consisted only 
of the two brothers, Dennis and John, 
who opened the original store in 1875, 
but in 1887 Eugene O'Shea, who had 
taken charge of the clothing depart- 
ment, was admitted to membership. 

When the Moulton opera house block 
was completed in August, 1887, Messrs. 



THK ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



45 



O'Shea Bros, leased the entire first 
fioor and basement, in connection with 
the wooden furniture building, all three 
floors of which are devoted to the furni- 
ture and carpeting business. The floor 
space now occupied by this concern, 
including their storehouse for furniture, 
near the passenger depot, amounts to 
nearly 30,000 square feet, or about two 
thirds of an acre. 

John O'Shea died Oct. 26, 1890, and 
the business has since been carried on 
by Dennis, Eugene, and Thomas O'Shea, 
the latter having the furniture and car- 
peting departments. 

O'Shea Bros.' store is an establish- 
ment of which all true Laconians are 
proud. Their success is due to natural 
shrewdness and business tact, combined 
with hard work, untiring attention to 
the wants of the public, fair dealing, 
and liberal advertising. 

From young men in limited financial 
circumstances, the O'Shea Bros, built 
up a business of $250,000 per annum, 
and made themselves among the fore- 
most and best-known merchants of the 
Granite state. They have always found 
time to interest themselves in every 
movement of a public nature which 
promised to assist in the growth and 
prosperity of Laconia, and they have 
been important factors in' nearly all our 
local enterprises. 

Dennis O'Shea, the senior member of 
the firm, is a director of the Laconia 
National bank, a trustee of the City 
Savings bank, president of the Laconia 
Electric Light Co., president of the 
Laconia Board of Trade, one of the 
promoters, organizers, and president of 
the Casino Building Co., a member of 
the board of education, and has always 
found time to devote himself enthusi- 
astically to the success of every enter- 
prise and public position with which he 
has been connected. 



Mutual Building & Loan Association. 



The Mutual Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation was organized June 3, 1890, 
with the following board of officers and 



directors : President, Henry B. Ouinby ; 
vice-president, Henry J. Odell ; secre- 
tary, Leroy M. Could: treasurer. Edwin 

D. Ward. Directors: Benjamin F. 
Drake, Henry Tucker, Charles E. Buz- 
zell, Stephen B. Cole, Edwin L. Cram, 
Libbeus E. Hayward, Elijah U. Blais- 
dell, Samuel R. Jones, Charles J. Pike; 
solicitor, Joseph L. ( >dell. The asso- 
ciation commenced business June 10, 
1890, with a membership of 113, fifteen 
of whom were females. Its mission has 
been to assist mechanics and others in 
getting homes of their own. In this it 
has clone its work well. It now has 
$30,000 assets which consist of loans to 
its members who are monthly drawing 
nearer the time when they will have 
homes of their own free from incum- 
brance, and others who are laying by 
something for a rainy day. Its affairs 
have been successfully conducted at all 
times, and as yet the association has not 
lost a dollar by injudicious investment, 
while on the other hand its members 
have been receiving a good rate of in- 
terest on their investments. From the 
start the officers and directors have 
been very careful in making all loans 
and herein lies one of the principal 
secrets of its successful career. 

The business of the association is 
conducted in such a way that any per- 
son desiring to build or purchase a 
home, lift a mortgage, or engage in bus- 
iness may become a member at any 
time by paying a nominal admission fee 
and taking one or more shares of stock- 
The Building and Loan Association 
offers inducements to mechanics, arti- 
sans, and laboring men generally that 
are not found in banking and other 
financial institutions. 

The present officers and board of 
directors are : President, Julius E. Wil- 
son ; vice-president, John N. Meader; 
secretary, Leroy M. Gould ; treasurer. 
Edwin I). Ward. Directors: Libbeus 

E. Hayward, Charles L. Pulsifer, John 
Aldrich, Edwin L. Cram, William G. 
Cram, George B. Munsey. Albert M. 
Read, Charles E. Sleeper, Charles L. 
Simpson. The headquarters of the 
association are at Lakeport. 






WT~m 



V. 

J** 

*• «* 



.i 



J. 1 




x- § x 






5 



It 



. ... r. awP -i 






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■rr 






/^ 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



47 



, 






Cole Manufacturing Company. 

In 1S27 the foundation of the Cole 
Manufacturing company was laid by the 
father of Benjamin J. Cole who moved 
from Franklin with his family in that 
year to Batchelder's Mills, now Lake- 
port, and built a small foundry, doing 
his melting in a large kettle with char- 
coal which he burned in the neighbor- 
hood ; prior to leaving Franklin he had 
built the second foundry erected in the 
state and numbered among his cus- 
tomers General John Stark of Hooksett. 

This foundry 
w a s bought 
from the father 
in 1836 by Ben- 
jamin J. Cole 
and two of his 
brothers, but in 
a few years Ben- 
jamin J . Cole 
bought the in- 
terests of his 
brothers, con- 
ducting the bus- 
iness under the 
style of B. J. 
Cole <S: Co., and 
the firm soon 
became wide 1 y 
known through- 
out northern 
New Hamp- 
shire for the 
manufacture of 
parlor and 
cooking stoves 
and agricultural 
implements, be- 
ing in fact the 

pioneer in this section in those special- 
ties. 

In 1852 Mr. Cole acquired land and 
water power from the \Y. L. C. & W. 
Mf'g Co., on which he erected an ex- 
tensive iron and wood machine shop, 
and in 1872 the concern was merged 
into a corporation, the Cole Manufac- 
turing company, which constructed a 
steam forge, and in 1873 began the 
manufacture of car axles for steam roads 
in which they have ever since been con- 




stantly engaged and the quality of which 
is unexcelled in the country. 

The concern also makes hosiery, 
needle, bobbin, and sawmill machinery, 
forgings, castings of all kinds and iron 
work generally, including Worrall's fric- 
tion clutches, shafting, pulleys, and 
hangers. Benj. J. Cole was from 1836 
treasurer and manager until [883, when 
he retired from the latter position, be- 
ing succeeded by his son-in-law, Henry 
1!. Quinby. He retained the treasurer- 
ship until his death. Mr. Quinby being 
assistant treasurer. Mr. Quinby is now 
treasurer and 
manager, Hen- 
ry Cole Quinby, 
President, and 
A. C. Moore, 
clerk. 

Tli is com- 
pany has been 
one of the main- 
stays and prin- 
cipal industries 
of this vicinity, 
having had a 
continuous ac- 
tivity of seven- 
ty-two years. 



The Late Hon. 

Benjamin J. 

Cole. 



Late H 



Benjamin J . 
( ole was born 
in Franconia. 
N. H., Sept. 28, 
1 814, and when 
Benjamin J. Cole. seven years of 

age went to 
Salisbury, where he attended the village 
school and the Noyes academy, then 
quite famous, and later went to tin- 
school at Sanbornton Bridge, now Til- 
ton. 

In 1827 he came with his parents to 
Batchelder's Mills, now Lakeport, and 
made it his home until his death which 
occurred Jan. 15, 1899. 

June 17, 1838, he married Mehitable 
A. Batchelder, whose father, Nathan 
Batchelder, then owned the water 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



power at Batchelder's Mills and from 
whom the place derived its name. 

In 1848 Mr. Cole was an incorpora- 
tor of the Winnipiseogee Steamboat 
company and served as its president 
more than forty years and under his 
supervision was built the first passen- 
ger steamboat, the LaJx of the Lake, 
ever launched upon the waters of the 
beautiful lake from which the company 
was named. 

He was an incorporator and for 
many years president of the Lake Vil- 
lage Savings 
Bank, and was 
also an incor- 
porator of the 
Laconia Na- 
tional Bank and 
for a long pe- 
riod one of its 
directors. 

In politics he 
was a Demo- 
crat until the 
outbreak of the 
Rebellion, when 
he became a 
Repu b lie an , 
and in 1862, 
'63, and '64 he 
was a candidate 
for state sena- 
tor in the sixth 
sena torial dis- 
trict. 

Mr. Cole was 
a member of 
the governor's 
council in 1866- 
'67 ; was a del- 
egate to the National convention which 
renominated President Lincoln ; he was 
a member of the state constitutional con- 
vention in 1876, and represented the 
town of Gilford in the general court in 
1849-50. 

During his seventy-two years of citi- 
zenship in Lakeport, Mr. Cole was a 
prominent factor in its growth and 
prosperity and chiefly instrumental in 
bringing the village from a total of sev- 
en houses to its present important stand- 
ing in the state, erecting, himself, more 




Col. Hf 



than sixty buildings and was ever public- 
spirited, benevolent, and mindful of the 
welfare of his numerous employes, and 
the citizens generally, by whom he was 
held in the highest esteem. 

He donated the land for a church and 
a school-house, and gave largely to both 
edifices. In 1849 he and the late Sena- 
tor James Bell were chosen a committee 
to purchase a hand fire-engine for the 
precinct and bought in Boston, Niagara 
engine, No. 1, which has from that day 
to this been ready for efficient service 
and is cher- 
ished with jeal- 
ous care by the 
veteran firemen 
of Lake port . 
He also provid- 
ed at his own 
expense a house 
for the engine. 
His unfalter- 
ing integrity 
was such that 
though in 1876, 
when business 
declined and 
v a 1 u es shrank 
all over the land 
he was obliged 
to go through 
ban k r upt cy , 
paying such a 
per cent, as he 
and his credit- 
ors agreed on, 
subsequen tly , 
when prosper- 
ity smiled upon 
him, he paid 
with interest every debt, in full, from 
which he had been legally released ; and 
that he was able to do this afforded 
him more pleasure than any other act 
of his business career. 



B. Ouinbv. 



Col. Henry B. Quinby. 



Colonel Henry Brewer Quinby, of 
the Cole Manufacturing Co., at Lake- 
port, was born in Biddeford, Maine, 
June 10, 1846, son of Thomas and Jane 
E. (Brewer) Quinby. Colonel Quinby 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



49 



conies from good old New England 
stock on both sides of his family. 
Through his father he is a direct de- 
scendant of John Rogers, fifth presi- 
dent of Harvard college, of Major- 
General Daniel Dennison, the famous 
colonial officer, of Governor Thomas 
Dudley of the Massachusetts colony, 
and of many other colonial celebrities. 
On his mother's side, Colonel Quinby 
is descended from Major Charles 



prison board, delegate-at-large to the 
Republican national convention at 
Minneapolis in 1893, and president of 
the state Republican convention in 
1896. In politics he is a Republican. 
He was appointed a member of the 
board of trustees of the New Hampshire 
Asylum for the Insane in 1897. 

He was made a Mason in 1S71 in 
this city, and is junior grand warden 
of the Grand Lodge of Free and Ac- 



Frost, the famous Indian fighter, and cepted Masons of New Hampshire, 
numbers among his great-great-great- Rieht Eminent Grand Commander of 



grandmothe r ' s 
two sisters of 
SirWilliam Pep- 
perell, the co 1- 
onial baro net, 
who won r e - 
n o w n a t the 
siege of Louis- 
burg, and is a 
direct descend- 
ant of Reverend 
Jose Glover, in 
the ninth gener- 
ation, at whose 
charge the first 
printing press 
was established 
in America. He 
a 1 1 e n ded Bid- 
deford schools 
and Nichols' 
Latin school at 
L e w i s t o n , as 
well as Bow- 
doin college, 
Brunswick, Me., 
being graduat- 
ed from the lat- 
ter in 1869. He received the degree of 
A. M. in 1872, and in 1880 was gradu- 
ated in medicine at the National Medi- 
cal college, Washington, D. C. He is 
manager and treasurer of the Cole 
Manufacturing company at Lakeport, 
with which he has been connected 
since 1869. Colonel Quinby was a 
member of Governor Straw's staff in 
i872-'73, a member of the legislature 
of i887-'88, state senator in 18S9-90, 
member of the governor's council in 
i89i-'92. being chairman of the state 
4 



Henry Cole Quinby. 



the Grand Com- 
m a n d e r y o f 
Knights Tem- 
plar o f N e w 
1 1 a m p shire, 
and an active 
member of the 
Supreme Coun- 
cil of the Scot- 
tish Rite of the 
North ern Ma- 
sonic Jurisdic- 
tion of the I nit- 
ed States of 
America. He is 
vice-pres i d e n t 
of the Laconia 
National Bank 
and the City 
Sa v ings Bank 
of Laconia. 

Colonel Quin- 
by married, on 
June 22, 1870, 
c t a vi a M . „ 
daughter of the 
late Hon. B. J. 
Cole of Lake- 
port. He has two children, — Henry Cole 
Quinby, a lawyer in New York city, and 
Candace Ellen, wife of Hugh \. Camp. 
Jr., of New York city. 




Henry Cole Quinby. 

The president of the Cole Manufac- 
turing company is Henry Cole Quinby, 
only son of Henry 1!. Quinby and 
grandson of the late Hon. Benjamin J. 

Cole. He was born in Lake Village, 
now Lakeport, July 9, 1872. ami was 



5° 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



prepared for college at the Chauncey 
Hall school in Boston. He was gradu- 
ated from Harvard college in 1894 
with cum laude, having completed the 
four years course in three years, and 
two years later was graduated from the 
Harvard Law school, having taken the 
three years' course in two years ; he 
then passed the examination and was 
admitted to the Suffolk County bar. 
After his graduation from the Harvard 
Law school he entered the office of 
Evarts, Choate & Beaman, New York 
city, by whom he was entrusted 



Mr. Quinby is a member of the New 
York Bar Association and of the Union 
League and Harvard clubs of New York. 



A Laconia Landmark. 



How long the site of the " old cor- 
ner store," corner of Main and Court 
Sts., Laconia, now occupied by John 
Parker Smith, dealer in general mer- 
chandise, has been a place of business, 
is not known, for no record can now be 
found in regard to it and the oldest in- 
habitant always has this answer when 




The Old Corner Store. 



with the preparation of some important 
causes; on the motion of Joseph H. 
Choate, now minister to England, he 
was admitted to practice in the supreme 
court of the United States ; he began 
the study of law in the office of the 
Hon. E. A. Hibbard of this city. 

February 1, 1899, he severed his con- 
nection with the firm of Evarts, Choate 
& Beaman, and established an office for 
himself in the Continental Building, 44 
Cedar street, New York city, where he 
is now located with a large and rapidly 
increasing clientage. 



asked any questions concerning its his- 
tory, "There's been a store there ever 
since I can remember." Mr. J. T. Coffin 
(father of Mr. John T. Coffin, now re- 
siding on Lyford St., Laconia), and one 
of the early directors of the old Concord 
& Montreal railroad, was a clerk here 
about the year 18 12, Daniel Avery be- 
ing then the proprietor. An old account 
book of 18 1 3-' 1 4 shows that a tailoring 
business was being done there by one 
Starbird. The present store was built 
about 1834 and was subsequently oc- 
cupied by Avery & Hazelton, Melcher 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



5' 



& Erench, French & Avery and H. J. 
French & Co. In 1859 James H. Til- 
ton, who had entered the employ of 
French «N Avery in 1845, assumed con- 
trol of the business and was closely 
identified with it until his death in 1894. 

Prominent among those who were 
associated with him in business and will 
be remembered by many Laconia people 
were Frank Keasor and S. S. Wiggin. 
After the death of Mr. Tilton, the pre- 
sent proprietor, who had entered the 
store as clerk in 1879, and Mr. R. C. 
Dickey, bought the business and con- 
tinued it for a short time when Mr. 
Dickey sold his interest to his partner, 
who has since made it his object to 
maintain the reputation of the store 
for the variety and good quality of its 
goods. 

Another feature of the old corner 
store which is of historic interest is the 
large building on Court street, imme- 
diately in the rear, which contains the 
grain and feed department of the busi- 
ness. This building was the old Gilford 
academy, an institution of learning 
which educated hundreds of brilliant 
and successful men and women and 
which has a reputation throughout New 
Hampshire in the old-time academic 
days. When the Gilford academy was 
discontinued, the building was occupied 
for the High school and Grammar 
school departments of the local public 
schools, until it was finally purchased 
by the late James H. Tilton and moved 
from its former location on Academy 
square to make room for the present 
brick High school building. 



John Parker Smith. 

John Parker Smith, proprietor of the 
Old Corner Store, is a native of New 
Hampton, born Feb. 8, 1854. He was 
educated in the public schools, and com- 
pleted his studies at the New Hampton 
Literary Institution, coming to Laco- 
nia in 1879. Mr. Smith has been con- 
nected with the Old Corner Store since 
his advent in Laconia, serving as clerk 
until Mr. Tilton's death, and now being 
sole proprietor. 



John Parker Smith is a member and 
deacon of the North (Congregational) 
church and is also superintendent of the 
Sunday-school at that church. He is 
a member of Winnipiseogee Lodge of 
Odd Fellows, and is one of Laconia's 
most successful merchants, and he de- 
serves the success which he has 
attained, for he follows his business 
very closely, and is noted for his 
square dealing. 

Like his predecessor in the same 
establishment, Mr. Smith takes pride 
in keeping in stock almost anything 
and everything which a customer could 
possibly ask for in a general store, and 




John Parker Smith. 

the establishment can always respond 
to a qall for anything from gum drops 
to grindstones or yeast cakes to a bale 
of hay. Mr. Smith is progressive and 
up-to-date in his methods, is a liberal 
advertiser and constantly improving his 
facilities. He has recently remodeled 
the interior of the Old Corner Store, 
and added a modem plate-glass show 
window which projects from the front 
of the building its entire width. The 
completed improvements in this line 
afford Mr. Smith an opportunity to 
boast of one of the largest and best- 
equipped general stores in New I lamp- 
shire. 



5 2 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The Late David Batchelder Nelson. 

David Batchelder Nelson was born at 
Roxbury, N. H., June 7, 1823, his par- 
ents being William Nelson and Lucy 
Batchelder of that town. He acquired 
the preliminary education leading up to 
professional life at Newbury, Vt., and 
the academy at Bradford, Vt., finishing 
at the Harvard Medical School, from 
which he graduated in the class of '49. 
At the age of twenty he began to study 
medicine with Dr. Fellows of Hill, N. H. 

After leaving 
Harvard he be- 
gan the practice 
of medicine in 
Boston, where 
he remained one 
year. In 1850 he 
came to Man- 
chester, N. H., 
where he was 
engaged in prac- 
tice for eleven 
years. From 
thence, in 1862, 
he came to this 
city and engaged 
in the practice 
of medicine, con- 
stantly, up to a 
little over two 
years ago when 
he retired from 
active work and 
passed the re- 
mainder of his 
life in enjoying 
the pure air and 
beautiful scenery 
with which the 
city of Laconia is so bountifully supplied. 

Few men have been better known or 
more prominently before the public in 
this section of the state than has Dr. 
Nelson for nearly forty years. He was 
a member of the Harvard Medical 
Alumni Association, the New Hamp- 
shire State Medical Society and a 
director in the latter. He was town 
physician for one year, county physician 
for three years, United States examining 
surgeon for invalid pensioners, acting 




The Late David Batchelder Nelson 



alone or as secretary of the board for 
thirty-two years, member of the local 
Board of Education for six years, pru- 
dential school committee for four years, 
chaplain, surgeon, and commander of 
John L. Perley, Jr., Post, No. 37, G. A. 
R. He was appointed colonel on the 
staff of Governor Berry in 1861, special 
transportation agent for the Third regi 
ment, N. H. Vols., during its trip to 
New York, special mustering officer to 
raise Troop K, New Hampshire cavalry. 
Early in the year 1862, the First battal- 
ion, N. H. Cav., 
joined the First 
R. I. Cav., and 
Dr. Nelson was 
made major of 
the Second bat- 
talion. He was 
appointed cap- 
tain of Company 
K, First regiment 
New England 
Cavalry, Oct. 9, 
1 86 1, and was 
appointed major 
of the same regi- 
ment in Decem- 
ber foil owing. 
He resigned on 
June 3, 1862. 
During his mil- 
itary career he 
was in command 
of the advance 
army, four com- 
panies of Rhode 
Island cavalry at 
the battle of 
Front Royal, on 
May 30, 1862. 
He was associated with Dr. William 
Buck of Boston in 1849, during the epi- 
demic of Asiatic cholera in that city, 
and was also present in the Massachu- 
setts General Hospital in October, 1846, 
as a medical student, and witnessed the 
first surgical operation where ether was 
used as an anaesthetic. 

He was twice married, in the first in- 
stance to Cornelia C. Weston in 185 1, 
and secondly to Susan E. Bridges, who 
survives, together with a son and two 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



53 



daughters, the former being William 
Nelson, city engineer of Laconia, and 
the latter, Miss Alice M. and Miss Lou- 
ise H. Nelson, also of this city. 

Dr. Nelson died on July 5, 189S, 
after a short illness, at his residence on 
Court street, in this city. 



Dr. Edwin P. Hodgdon. 

Among the many well-known and 
skilful physicians of the city on the 
lakes is Dr. Edwin P. Hodgdon, who 
has been i n 
practice here 
about seven 
years, and who 
has a large 
and steadily in- 
creasing b u s i- 
ness in his pro- 
fession. Dr. 
Hodgdon was 
born in Barn- 
stead, May 6, 
1867, and was 
educated at Gil- 
manton acad- 
emy, gra d u a t - 
ingin the class- 
ical course, June 
10, 1S86. He 
pursued his pro- 
fessional stud- 
ies at the Bur- 
lington (Ver- 
mont) Medical 
School, gradu- 
ating July 10, 
189 1. Previous 
to studying at 
Burlington, Dr. Hodgdon was for a time 
connected with the New Hampshire 
Asylum for the Insane, where he had 
an opportunity to study and investigate 
nervous diseases to a considerable ex- 
tent. 

Dr. Hodgdon married Clara E. Han- 
cock of Canterbury. They have no 
children. 

He commenced his medical practice 
at New Hampton, where he remained 
about a year, and then came to Laconia, 
locating in Lakeport in July, 1892. 




] )r. Edwin P. Hodgdon. 



Dr. Hodgdon takes considerable in- 
terest in secret and fraternal organiza- 
tions. He is an Odd Fellow and a past 
grind of Chocorua Lodge, No. 51, of 
Lakeport, and is also at the present 
time I). D. G. M. of Laconia. He. is 
also a member of Mt. Lebanon Lodge 
of Masons and is connected with the 
Masonic Chapter, Council, and Com- 
mandery of Knights Templar. He is a 
member of New Hampton Grange, 
Patrons of Husbandry, the New Eng- 
land ( )rder of Protection at Lakeport, 
and Hannah 
Frances Lodge, 
Degree of Pe- 
bekah, in con- 
nection with his 
Odd Fellow- 
ship. 

Dr. Hodgdon 
is one of the 
board of physi- 
cian s at the 
Laconia Cot- 
tage Hospital, a 
member of the 
New Hamp- 
shire Medical 
Society, and 
also the YVinni- 
pesaukee Acad- 
emy of Medi- 
cine. He was 
president of the 
United States 
board of exam- 
ining surgeons 
for pensions at 
Laconia from 
1893 to 1897. 
during President Cleveland's adminis- 
tration. Dr. Hodgdon is a Democrat 
in politics and an attendant at the Park 
Street Free Baptist church. 



The Late Noah Lawrence True. 

Noah Lawrence True, M. !>.. only 
child of Abram and Mary Brown Law 
rence True, was born in Meredith. X. 
H., November 21, 1S2S. 

In early boyhood he was thoughtful 
and studious, yet full of energy and 



54 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ambition, often walking several miles 
over rough and rocky roads, or across 
fields and pastures to take advantage of 
extra schooling in neighboring districts. 
Later he came to Meredith Bridge and 
was a student at Gilford academy, where 
he finished his preparatory education. 

Having chosen the medical profes- 
sion he studied medicine with Wm. 
Leach, M. D-, took his first medical 
degree at Harvard and was graduated 
from the Eclectic Medical college at 
Worcester, Mass., June 25, 1 S 5 r . 

Youthful i n 
his appearance 
and represent- 
ing an unpop- 
ular school of 
medicine, he 
began work in 
Dover, N. H., 
full of courage 
and e n t h u s i - 
asm. In a lit- 
tle less than ten 
years a severe 
illness necessi- 
tated a com- 
plete change 
and he left a 
large practice, 
purchased the 
farm adjoining 
his boyhood 
home, and re- 
moved there for 
rest and recu- 
peration. While 
residing there 
he represented 
Meredith in the 
legislature and served on the board of 
selectmen. 

He came to Laconia in 1S65 where 
he practised his profession until two 
weeks preceding his death, June 21, 
1896. He was a member of the New 
Hampshire Medical Society, at one 
time holding the office of president. 
For several years he served on the 
board of education, was one of the 
trustees of the Laconia Savings bank 
and was a member of Winnipiseogee 
Lodge, I. O. O. E. 




Unassuming in manner, sympathetic, 
and tender as a woman in the presence 
of suffering, he possessed keen intuitive 
perception, great strength of purpose 
and strong self-reliance, qualities which 
cheered every sick room he entered, 
inspired confidence and courage in his 
patients and won for himself an exten- 
sive and successful practice. 

He was united in marriage with Mary 
Elizabeth Tucker of Meredith Bridge, 
September 22, 1850. They have four 
children : Emma Frances, wife of Hor- 
ace Emery Dur- 
gin of Laconia; 
Jennie Alma, 
wife of Joseph 
Hector Gingras 
of Laconia; 
Walter H a r r i- 
son, a physician 
in Laconia; 
and George 
Lawrence, a 
dentist in Cam- 
bridge, Mass. 



Dr. Walter 
Harrison True. 



Late Noah Lawrence True 



Walter Harri- 
son True, M.D., 
was born in 
Meredith,N.H., 
July 25, 1866. 
His parents 
coming to La- 
conia the fall of 
that year, most 
of his life has 
been spent in 
this city. He was a pupil in our public 
schools until 1882, when he became a 
student at Gilmanton Academy, where 
he was graduated, class of '85. 

The following two years were spent 
with Henry Story, pharmacist, of this 
city. After studying medicine with his 
father, N. L. True, M. D., he entered 
Cincinnati Medical college and was 
graduated in June, 1S91, also receiving 
a special diploma on diseases of the 
eye and ear under Professor McPheron, 
M. D., of Cincinnati, O., now of Denver, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



55 



Col. While at that college he took two 
winter courses in clinical medicine and 
surgery at the Cincinnati City Hospital. 

He came to Boston, 
Mass., and was house 
surgeon at the Charter 
Street Hospital, and 
later having passed the 
state medical board 
of examiners at Con- 
cord, N. H., he com- 
menced the practice of 
his profession in com- 
pany with his father in 
this city. 

He is a member of 
the New Hampshire 
Eclectic Medical Soci- 
ety, holding the posi- 
tion of secretary and 
treasurer at the pres- 
ent time. In the sum- 
mer of 1894, he took 
a course of study at 
the New York Post- 
graduate school, New 
York city, receiving a 
diploma on diseases of the eye, ear 




Dr. True was united in marriage 
with Miss Mabelle Hill of Lakeport, 
N 1 1., on March 29, 1899. 



Julian Francis Trask. 



Dr. Walter H. True. 



Julian Francis Trask 
was born in Beverly, 
Mass., October 1, 1S49. 
He was educated in 
the public schools, after 
which he thoroughly 
learned the trade of a 
machinist at the Rhode 
Island Locomotive 
Works, in Providence. 

Changing his r e s i- 
dence to Laconia, he 
continued his chosen 
vocation, but gradually 
drifted into newspaper 
work, for which he de- 
v eloped a marked 
adaptation. At first his 
evenings only were de- 
voted to writing for the 
press, but subsequently 



he gave his whole time and attention to 
nose, and throat. He was appointed one journalism, being employed on the La- 
of the members of the N. H. state board conia Democrat, Manchester Union, and 



of medical ex- 
am i n e r s, by 
Gov. Rams- 
dell and coun- 
cil, in June, 
1897, and is 
the youngest 
member on 
the board. He 
is a member of 
the Winnipe- 
saukee Acad- 
emy of Medi- 
cine, also of 
the N. H. As- 
sociation of 
Boards of 
Health, and 
has held the 
office of secretary of the Laconia board 
of health ever since the city was inau- 
gurated. He is a member of Mt. Bel- 
knap Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Laco- 
nia, and also of Laconia Grange. 




Residence of Dr. \V. It. Tl 



represen 1 1 n g 
the Associat- 
ed Press in 
the lake re- 
gion, doing in 
ever_\- assign- 
ment and de- 
tail, pains- 
t a k i n g a n d 
commendabl e 
work. His 
generous tem- 
perament and 
cheerful dis- 
position led 
him to say 
kindly things, 
and his inde 
fatigable pen 
has never been touched in venom. He 
grew into the good graces of the com 
munity, as he did into favor with his 
employers, and his career as reporter is 
not marred by any mean act. 



56 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



When Hon. C. A. Busiel was men- 
tioned for the mayorship and again for 
the governorship, Mr. Trask's enthu- 
siasm and enterprise knew no limit, and 
he entered the canvasses at the very 
outset with an eager devotion that never 
faltered. He was the governor's choice 
for messenger to the council, and private 
secretary to his excellency, positions of 
confidence and responsibility which he 
filled with remarkable ability, discre- 
tion, and success. His reputation as 
a conscientious and versatile newspaper 
man extended 
throughout the 
state, and his 
know ledge of 
legislation and 
poli tics con- 
duced to make 
him a very con- 
siderable factor 
in public affairs. 
His appoint- 
ment as labor 
commissi oner 
was r e c e ived 
with general 
favor, and his 
service in that 
important office 
during the three 
years last past 
won him many 
valuable friends 
and acq uaint- 
ances, and have 
given him a 
merited accred- 
iting in popular 
sentiment that ensures him desirable 
prominence in whatever field of labor he 
may now choose. 

Whether in the workshop, or on the 
newspaper, or at the state house, the 
same prepossessing sunshiny personal- 
ity has characterized him. He is look- 
ing always for the good in humankind, 
and the saying of charitable things has 
grown to be a habit with him. Every 
fiber of his nature is true to the best 
interests of this community, with which 
his growth and welfare have been 
closely associated. 




Julian F. Trask. 



Mr. Trask married Vicklida E. Ander- 
son of this city December n, 1875, anc ' 
they have three children, Helen G., 
Arthur F., and Marie Louise. 

Mr. Trask belongs to the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, the Mt. 
Belknap lodge, Knights of Pythias, and 
is an active member of the White Moun- 
tain Traveller's Association, and is also 
one of the leading lights of the Coon 
Club, the state organization of practi- 
cal newspaper workers. Outspoken 
honesty is one of the sterling qualities 
of his manhood. 
He has availed 
himself of a 
wealth of phil- 
osophy, soft- 
ened by a pre- 
vailing sense of 
wit and humor. 
With distinct 
ideas of right 
and wrong, he 
is, nevertheless, 
deferential and 
tolerant of the 
opinions of 
others, and his 
desire is to help 
and to serve 
and in all ways 
possible smooth 
the rough edges 
of life. In re- 
ligion, he is lib- 
eral ; in poli- 
tics, a Republi- 
can ; and in all 
a public-spirited 
substantial citizen, worthy of the high 
respect and fond regard in which he is 
so widely held. 



Dr. A. H. Harriman. 



Dr. Alpha Haven Harriman, one of 
Laconia's leading physicians, was born 
in Albany, N. H., October 14, 1857, 
son of Nathaniel G. and Rhoda (Allard) 
Harriman. He received his prepara- 
tory education in the academies at Frye- 
burg and at Bridgton, Me. His pro- 
fessional studies were pursued at Bow- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



57 




doin College Medical School, from which 
he graduated in 1883. He commenced 
practice in Mercer, Me., but after eight 
months rem oved 
to the town of 
Sandwich, N. H., 
where he remain- 
ed for three years 
and a half. In 
November, 1S87, 
he settled in La- 
conia, and has re- 
mained here up to 
the present time. 
He has attained 
a prominent posi- 
tion in his pro- 
fession, and has 
been very success- 
ful in a business 
way. 

He is a mem- 
ber of the New 
Hampshire Medi- 
cal Society and 
the Winnipesau- 
kee Academy of 
Medicine, a con- 
tributor to period- l 
ical medical liter- 
ature and to " the 
reference hand-book of medical sci- 
ences." He was a member of the board 
of education of Laconia for four years, 
and for three years 
was president of 
the board. He is 
a member of Mt. 
Lebanon Lodge, 
Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons, 
of Union Chapter, 
Royal Arch Ma- 
sons, of which he 
was high priest in 
i897-'99; of Pyth- 
agorean Counc il, 
Royal and Select 
Masters, and of 
Pilgrim Comman- 
der y . Knights 
Templar, Laconia. 
commander of the latter in i896-'98 

Dr. Harriman has always been 



Democrat, but has never taken an ac- 
tive part in politics. He was married 
Feb. 10, 18S4, to Katherine E. Walker 
of Lovell, Maine. 
The\- h av e two 
sons : Haven Wal- 
ker, born Jul\- 26, 
1889, and Nathan- 
iel Joy, born Aug. 
i 7, 1892. 



Dow & Roberts. 



Dr. Alpha H. Harriman 




t Di. A. II. II 



He was eminent 



The Dow & Rob- 
erts meat and pro- 
vision market is 
a first-class up-to- 
date dispensary of 
choice meats, veg- 
etables, pou 1 1 r y, 
canned goods, etc. 
The es t ab 1 i s h- 
ment was started 
by E. L. Dow, one 
of Laconia's vet- 
eran market-men 
and butchers, in 
1878, and the 
present firm of 
Dow & Robe r t s 
took posse ss i on 
in 1S94. Herbert E. Dow is a son of 
E. L. Dow, and Fred S. Roberts is a son 
of O. N. Roberts of Meredith, and was 
employed in the 
grocery business 
j for several years 
before embarking 
i n business w i t h 
Mr. Dow. 

The Do w & 
Roberts market is 
located at No. 605 
Main street, and 
handles every- 
thing which would 
be found in a first- 
class city market. 
This is the only 
e s t a blishment in 
the state equip- 
ped with an electric plant for grinding 
bones and sausage meats, and the pro- 
prietors are constantly making improve 






58 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



merits in their equipment, and striving 
to advance the standard of their service. 
The market is, of course, provided 
with ample refrigerator room for the 
cold storage of fresh meats, of which 
they purchase the choicest and best, 
both domestic and Western, which the 
market affords. Home-made lard, home- 
cured hams, and home-made sausage 
are some of the special features of their 
trade upon which Dow & Roberts pride 
themselves, and which have proved 
very popular with the public. In green 
goods, they always have the earliest 
peas, dandelions, and other vegetables 
to be found in Laconia markets. They 



Gilford, in that part known as Lake 
Village, May 20, 1865 ; his parents be- 
ing Charles and Amanda G. (Hall) 
Flanders of Gilford. His mother was a 
native of Middletown, Pa., whose an 
cestry were of Revolutionary stock and 
among the first settlers of Pennsylvania. 
On the paternal side, his remote ances- 
try were among the first settlers of Gil- 
manton. He was one of a family of four 
children, three of whom survive. 

Mr. Flanders was educated in the 
public schools at Philadelphia, and 
Franklin Falls. Later he completed his 
education in the Quaker city, partic- 
ularly that relating to business. * Al 




Dow & Roberts' Meat and Provision Market. 



make another feature of poultry, im- 
porting large quantities of Vermont 
turkeys and chickens, grown and fat- 
tened especially for their trade. 

Messrs. Dow & Roberts are both 
young men, enterprising and wide-awake 
for the increase of their business and 
the satisfaction of their patrons. They 
have met with excellent success and keep 
two delivery teams hustling all the time, 
in addition to their large store trade. 



William Hall Flanders. 



Prominent among the rising young 
legal lights in Belknap county is William 
Hall Flanders of this city, residing at 
Lakeport. Mr. Flanders was born in 



though many years covering the period 
of his early life have been spent outside 
of Laconia, chiefly on account of busi- 
ness interests, yet during all these years, 
he has never renounced his allegiance, 
love, and kind remembrance for his 
native heath. 

He studied law in the office of Jewell 
& Stone in this city and was admitted 
to the bar March 4, 1890. and soon 
after opened an office at Lakeport. 

Previous to this Mr. Flanders spent 
about two years in the south, where he 
was associated with mining companies, 
with headquarters at Staunton, Va. 
About this time he was admitted to 
practice in the supreme court in the 
District of Columbia, October 26, 1892. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



59 



Soon after he returned to this citv. In 
1S98 he was admitted to practice in the 
United States district court of New 
Hampshire. Since being admitted to 
the bar in New Hampshire, he has con- 
ducted a general law practice, in which 
he, for a young man, has been eminently 
successful. 

Mr. Flanders is a member of the Mt. 
Lebanon lodge, No. 32, A. F. and A. 
M., Union Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., 
Pilgrim Commandery, Knights Templar, 
Mount Washington Chapter, No. 13, 
Order of the Eastern Star. 

He is also 
in good stand- 
ing as an Odd 
Fellow, having 
become a mem- 
ber of that order 
in Philadelphia. 
He is a member 
of several other 
secret societies 
and holds offi- 
cial positions in 
all of the Ma- 
sonic bodies. 
He is a mem- 
ber of the Bel- 
knap County 
Fish and Game 
League. 

In 189S he 
was elected a 
member of the 
Laconia board 
of educat ion. 
His political 
affiliations are 
with the I) e m- 
ocrats. Octo- 
ber 25, 1892, he wedded Miss Carrie 
Morgan of Milford, Delaware. His re- 
ligious affiliations are with the Episco- 
palians. 

Mr. Flanders was a resident of Prince 
William county, Virginia, for about six 
years, subsequently he resided in Phila- 
delphia, later at Franklin Falls, X. H. 
In all Mr. Flanders has resided in this 
city about twenty years. 

Socially he is ever at his best, in con- 
sequence of which he is possessed of 



numerous friends local and elsewhere. 
Though modest in temperament he has 
a keen appreciation of the eternal fitness 
of all his environments. As a counselor 
he is conservative yet decided, seldom 
vouchsafing an opinion without impart- 
ing the most careful scrutiny and de- 
liberate consideration. 

In domestic life he is much attached 
to the home circle. He resides at 973 
Union avenue, where he is surrounded by 
home comforts such as are dictated by 
liberal tastes for enjoyment and other 
auxiliaries conducive to happiness. 




Fred B. Rowe. 



William H. Flanders 



Fred B. Rowe, 

hosiery manu- 
facturer, is a 
native of Laco- 
nia, and one of 
our younger 
manufacture r s 
who has made 
a success in 
this line. He 
was born Janu- 
ary 13, 1 87 2. 
and received 
his education 
in the public 
schools of this 
city. In 1888 
he commenced 
as book-keeper 
for the Laconia 
Manufacturi ng 
Company, and 
continued with 
this concern for 
three years. In 
1 89 1 he started in the hosiery business 
for himself in a small way, and two 
years later formed a partnership with 
M, P. Marshall. 

The partnership continued for four 
years, and then Mr. Marshall retired 
from the firm, and Mr. Rowe has since 
carried on the business alone with 
excellent success. He now employs 
about one hundred hands in the opera- 
tion of his industry, and has a pro- 
duction of two hundred and twenty- 



6o 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



five dozen hosiery per day. His fac- 
tory is located on Meredith Court. 
He manufactures hosiery for ladies, 
gents, misses, and infants, and makes 
a specialty of medium and high-class 
goods. Mr. Rowe disposes of his 
product mostly to the jobbers and 
direct trade. 

Mr. Rowe was married in 1893 to 
Miss Annie R. Woodburn, and they 
have two children, Elmer W., six years 
old ; and Charles M., aged three years. 

In politics, 
Mr. Rowe is 
a Democrat, 
and in the se- 
cret orders he 
is a member of 
Winnipiseogee 
Lodge of Odd 
Fellows. 

Laconia has 
always taken 
pride in her 
hustling young 
business men 
and man ufac- 
turers, and to 
this class Mr. 
Rowe undoubt- 
edly be lo n gs . 
He is w i d e- 
awake and up- 
to-date in his 
methods, and 
des erves the 
success w h i c h 
he is meeting 
in his business. 




Fred B. Rowe 



Col. Benjamin F. Drake. 



Although now a resident of Norfolk, 
Virginia, where he conducts a large 
grocery business, Col. B. Frank Drake 
still claims Laconia as his home, still 
owns property in the City on the Lakes 
and will undoubtedly return here for a 
permanent residence some time. 

Benjamin F. Drake was born in New 
Hampton, Oct. 8, 1844. When he was 
two years old his parents removed to 
Lakeport, where young Drake was edu- 
cated in the public schools and French's 



select school. At the opening of the 
Civil War he entered the government 
employ at the Springfield armory, where 
he learned the machinist trade. He 
was afterwards superintendent of two 
manufactories in Massachusetts, and 
later was master mechanic of the Mount 
Washington railway. In 1878, return- 
ing to Lakeport he became a member of 
the firm of J. S. Crane & Co., retiring in 
18S5 to assume charge of the construc- 
tion of the Lakeport & Laconia Water 
Works, resum- 
ing the partner- 
ship at the com- 
pletion of the 
contract, this 
time organizing 
the Crane Man- 
ufacturing Co., 
builders of knit- 
ting machinery. 
Of this corpor- 
ation, Colonel 
Drake was the 
treasurer, a di- 
rector, and a 
moving spir i t . 
A year or two 
ago he sold out 
his interest in 
the Crane Co., 
purchased a 
large farm and 
mill property in 
M assachusetts, 
but soon after- 
wards sold out 
and went South, 
to Virginia, 
where he is now located and conduct- 
ing a very successful business. 

Colonel Drake has not limited his 
attention to his private interests solely, 
but has been much in public and corpo- 
rate service. He was aide-de-camp, with 
the rank of colonel, on the staff of Gov. 
John B. Smith, has served his town as 
selectman, represented Gilford in the 
legislature in 1883, and was a member 
of the constitutional convention in 
18S9. He is now a director of the La- 
conia Water Works, has been a director 
of the National bank of Lakeport, of 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



61 



the Lake Village Savings bank, presi- 
dent of the Mutual Building & Loan as- 
sociation, a trustee of the public library, 
and a member of the local board of 
trade. In 1887 he was appointed steam- 
boat inspector by Governor Sawyer, a 
position which he held until he left 
New Hampshire. Colonel Drake is a 
member of the New Hampshire club, of 
the Lincoln club, of the Home Market, 
and of the White Mountain Travellers' 
association. In secret society life. 
Colonel Drake 
has always been 
much interested 
and quite prom- 
inent. He is a 
Mason, Knight 
Templar, and 
has reached the 
thirty -se con d 
degree, he is an 
Odd Fellow, a 
Patriarch Mili- 
tant, a Red 
Man, a Knight 
of Pyth i a s , a 
Knight of Hon- 
or, and has re- 
ceived honors 
in all of these 
f ra t e r n i t i e s . 
Colonel Drake 
is a Republican 
in politics and 
was a member 
of the first city 
council of the 
city of Laconia. 
Few Laconia 
men have been 
better known throughout the state of 
New Hampshire than Col. Frank Drake, 
and he is popular and esteemed wher- 
ever known, for he is always genial and 
agreeable, and a good companion as 
well as a good business man. 







Col. Benjamin F. Drake 



Hon. Charles F. Stone. 



Probably no member of the legal pro- 
fession in New Hampshire is more 
widely and favorably known than Hon. 
Charles F. Stone, of Laconia, ex-naval 



officer of the port of Boston, Mass. 
Mr. Stone's ancestors were among the 
early settlers of Vermont, emigrating to 
Cabot, in the northern part of the state 
as early as 1794. Lawyer Stone was 
born May 21, 1843, son of Levi II. and 
Clarissa (( )sgood) Stone. His boyhood 
was passed upon a farm, where he 
acquired a vigorous physique, and at the 
age of twenty years started out to 
secure an education to enter a profes- 
sion. He attended the academy at 
, Barre, Vermont, 
for two years, 
and titt e d for 
college, enter- 
ing Middlebury 
in 1 S 6 5 , an d 
graduating in 
the class of '69. 
He paid his 
own w a y both 
in academy 
and college by 
teaching the 
district schools 
and also as in- 
structor in sing- 
ing-schools. He 
was a natural 
musician and 
from the time 
he was nineteen 
years of age, 
until his voice 
was weake n e d 
by an attack of 
pneumonia, he 
was most of the 
time director of 
a church choir. 
After Mr. Stone's graduation from col- 
lege, he read law for a year in the office 
of ex-Governor J. W. Stewart in Mid- 
dlebury, Vt., and at the same time 
served as principal of a graded school. 
In 1870 Mr. Stone came to Laconia 
and entered the office of Judge E. A. 
Hibbard, where he continued his studies 
until admitted to the practice of his 
profession in 1872. He then formed a 
partnership with the late Col. George 
W. Stevens, which continued for one 
year. For the next seven years Mr. 



62 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Stone practised alone, devoting himself 
entirely to his professional labors and 
meeting with much success. In 1880, 
a partnership was formed with Lawyer 
E. P. Jewell, which was continued with 
some changes in membership, until 
1898, when Mr. Stone withdrew from 
the firm and formed a new partnership 
with Lawyer Edwin H. Shannon. 

Mr. Stone was reared a Republican in 
politics, but about twenty years ago he 
became dissatified with the Republican 
policy on financial and revenue matters, 
and at the open- 
ing of the cam- 
paign in 1S80, he 
took the stump 
for Hancock and 
English. He is 
one of the most 
effective cam- 
paign speakers in 
New Hampshire, 
and he has been 
several times 
chairman of the 
Democratic state 
c o m m i ttee, the 
Democratic can- 
didate for govern- 
or and also for 
congress. He was 
a member of the 
state legislature 
from Laconia in 
i883-'S4 and 
again in i887-'88. 
He was commis- 
sioned naval offi- 
cer of Boston, 
July 3, 1894, and 
at the expiration of his term, returned 
to the practice of his profession in La- 
conia and also opened a branch office in 
Manchester. 

Mr. Stone has been a member of the 
Masonic fraternity since attaining his 
majority, and is also a member of 
Laconia grange and the Belknap 
Pomona grange. 

He married July 7, 1870, Minnie A. 
Nichols of Sudbury, Vt., who died 
September 22, 1875, leaving one daugh- 
ter, Flora M. Stone. Mr. Stone mar- 



ried September 12, 1896, Mrs. Isabel 
Smith Munsey of Laconia. In religious 
matters Mr. Stone is of the progressive 
and liberal type and has long been 
actively connected with the Laconia 
Unitarian church. 



Edwin H. Shannon. 




Hon. Charles F. Stone 



Edwin Howe Shannon, of the law 
firm of Stone &: Shannon, was born in 
Gilmanton, March 8, 1S58, son of 
James C. and Judith W. (Batchelder) 
Shannon. He 
traces his descent 
in the paternal 
line from an early 
settler of Ports- 
mouth, his grand- 
father, George 
Shannon, having 
been born in that 
place. In the ma- 
ternal line he 
comes of the fam- 
ily which was re- 
lated to that of 
the famous states- 
man, Daniel Web- 
ster, his great- 
grandmother hav- 
ing been a cousin 
of the statesman. 
Mr. Shannon re- 
ceived his educa- 
tion in the public 
schools of his na- 
tive town, and at 
Gilmanton Acad- 
emy. He studied 
1 a w w i t h Hon. 
Thomas Cogswell of Gilmanton, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1881. 

Mr. Shannon then became a partner 
of Colonel Cogswell, remaining such for 
about a year, when the partnership was 
dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Shan- 
non seeking a wider field for practice 
than was afforded him in Gilmanton. 
He thereafter practised his profession 
alone until 1893, having offices in Farm- 
ington and Pittsfield, where, he soon 
acquired more than a local fame for his 
ability in the trial of causes, and gained 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



63 



for himself a considerable clientage. In 
1893, Mr. Shannon came to Laconia 
and entered into partnership with Law- 
yer W. S. Peaslee, the firm subsequently 
becoming Shannon, Peaslee «\: Plack- 
stone. In 1S94, he withdrew from this 
firm and practised alone until 1898, 
when the law firm of Stone & Shannon 
was established. 

Mr. Shannon is counsel for a number 
of large and prosperous corporations 
and has devoted considerable study to 
this especial branch of the law. He is 
also considered 
an authority upon 
the Law of Per- 
sonal Injuries, 
has a large prac- 
tice in that branch 
of his profession, 
where he has been 
successful in win- 
ning some of the 
most imp or tan t 
cases which have 
ever been insti- 
tuted in Belknap 
county. Mr. Shan- 
non is a man of 
s t r ong personal- 
ity, is quick to 
determine and 
prompt to exe- 
cute. Fearless in 
thought and ac- 
tion, with strong 
common sense as 
a guide, he does 
not hesitate to 
carve a way where 
none appears. 

Precedents have no terrors for Mr 



stead. They have three children : Ella 
C, Mildred, and Edwin II. Shannon, Jr. 



The Oberon Ladies Quartette. 




Edwin II. Shannon 



The Oberon Ladies Quartette was 
organized by Mrs. O. M. Prescott in 
1891, and they have won a reputation 
as a musical organization in all sec- 
tions of New England. The personnel 
of the quartette is as follows : First 
soprano, Mrs. (). M. Prescott; second 
soprano, Miss Minnie O. Woodhouse : 
first alto, Mrs. 
('. K. S an born ; 
second alto. Mrs. 
George B. Cox. 

The following 
will indicate to 
some extent the 
popular favor with 
which the ( >beron 
Ladies Quartette 
has everywhere 
been received : 

"It has been 
my good fortune 
to be present on 
two occasions 
when the Oberon 
Quartette were 
the vocalists of 
the evening. They 
have exquisite 
voices which har- 
monize admir- 
ably. They sing 
with expre s s i o n 
and distinct enun- 
ciation, and win 
the favor of the 
audience from the start. They have a 



Shannon. If they appear to be right he charming repertoire^ which they ren- 
follows them, but if wrong he fearlessly dered with grace and melody. I found 
attacks them, and some at least, have it easy to lecture after being stirred by 
gone down before the logic of his rea- 
soning. As a counselor, wise and pru- 
dent, in the trial of causes, strong and 
tactful, and as an advocate, earnest and 
eloquent, he has acquired a large and 
lucrative practice. In politics he is a 
Republican. He was married Oct. 18, 
1882, to Myra E., daughter of Ira L. 
and Lavina E. (Drew) Perry, of Barn- 



their inspiring music." — Mary A. Liver- 
more, 

"The Oberon Ladies Quartette of 
Laconia made its first appearance in 
Concord at this concert, but it is safe to 
say it will not be the last. In all the 
five numbers given the combination was 
at its best, and the result was the 
highest satisfaction of an audience 



6 4 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



composed of those who are never satis- 
fied with anything less than excellent 
work in this line. Two numbers were 
encored and the responses were equally 
pleasing. Each member of the quar- 
tette has a fine, well-trained voice, and 
they all blend harmoniously together. 
The young city of Laconia may well be 
proud of the Oberon Ladies Quartette. 
— Concord People and Patriot. 

"The Oberon Ladies Quartette made 
quite a hit at the banquet of the Massa- 
chusetts State Board of Agriculture at 
Dalton, Mass., last evening. Governor 
Greenhalge and many other high digni- 



most prominent and active business 
men and manufacturers in this section 
of New Hampshire. He was born at 
Centre Harbor, N. H., December 24, 
18 10, son of Jonathan Smith and Deb- 
orah (Neal) Moulton. The Moultons 
trace their ancestry back to the Nor 
mans, and some of them accompanied 
William the Conqueror in his invasion 
and conquest of England in 1066. As 
many as seven Moultons were in Amer- 
ica at a very early date, one in the set- 
tlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Two 
of the Moultons came to New Hamp- 
shire in 1638. Gen. Jonathan Moulton, 




The Oberon Ladies Quartette. 



taries were present and had only words 
of praise for Laconia's fair vocalists." 

"At the evening concert of the N. H. 
Music Teachers association the Oberon 
Ladies Quartette rendeied selections. 
The quartette did very fine work, their 
voices blending perfectly, — singing in 
good style. In fact they were an agree- 
able surprise." — Prof. Henri G. Blais- 
dell in Granite Monthly. 



The Late Hon. John Carroll Moulton. 



From the year 1836 until the date of 
his death, July 23, 1894, the late Hon. 
John Carroll Moulton was one of the 



grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
was one of the leading men in the state 
in the old colonial days. In 1736, the 
town of Moultonborough was granted 
to him and sixty-one others by the Ma- 
sonian proprietors. Governor Went- 
worth granted to General Moulton " a 
small gore of land adjoining Moulton- 
boro," which was named New Hampton 
in honor of his native town and which 
contained nearly twenty thousand acres, 
and now constitutes a part of the town 
of Centre Harbor. General Moulton 
distinguished himself in the Revolution- 
ary War, and did much to build up the 
early settlements around the lake, actu- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



65 



ally creating the three towns of Moul- 
tonborough, Centre Harbor, and New 
Hampton. 

John Carroll Moulton was educated 
in the district schools in his native town 
and afterwards attended Holmes acad- 
emy at Plymouth, N. H. Master Dudley 
Leavitt, the world-famous astronomer 
and mathematician, was one of his in- 
structors in his boyhood days. 

Mr. Moulton commenced his business 
life at Sandwich, where he entered into 
trade but after a few months removed 
to Centre Har- 
bor, where he 
continued as a 
merchant and 
also opened a 
hotel, which was 
the pioneer of 
the mini erous 
and elegant 
summer resort 
hotels w h i c h 
now abound in 
the lake region. 

In 1836 he 
changed his 
residence to 
Lake Vil 1 age, 
and engaged in 
merchandizi n g 
and man ufac- 
turing. In the 
year 1S41 he 
came to Mere- 
dith IJ ridge, 
now Laco n i a, 
and from that 
time until his 
death was one 
of the formative and directing forces 
in the growth and development of the 
town. He was first landlord of the 
popular Belknap Hotel, next a book- 
seller and druggist, then postmaster of 
the village, appointed by President 
Tyler. He continued as postmaster for 
about six years, being reappointed by 
President Polk, but was removed under 
President Taylor's Whig administration, 
as an offensive partisan. He was 
again reappointed by President Frank- 
lin Pierce, and continued in office by 




The Late Hon. John Carroll Moulton 



President Buchanan, but during Presi- 
dent Lincoln's term was succeeded by 
a Republican, after sixteen years of ser- 
vice in the post-office. 

In [861, Mr. Moulton became inter- 
ested in the Laconia Car manufactory, 
which had been conducted by Charles 
Ranlet & Co., until Mr. Ranlet's death 
in i860. Mr. Moulton gave his personal 
attention to the car building business 
and rapidly developed a large and profit- 
able industry. The works were fre- 
quently enlarged, extensive buildings 
put up, and the 
quality of work 
advanced, until 
passenger cars 
of the finest 
style were man- 
ufactured here 
and the Laco- 
nia Car Com- 
pany had a na- 
tional reputa- 
tion. This gave 
employment to 
h U n d reds of 
workmen, and 
the pay-rolls 
amounted to 
eight thousand 
dollars a month. 
The entire plant 
w a s destroyed 
by tire in 1 88 1 . 
but with c h a r- 
acteristic ener- 
gy Mr. Moulton 
began work on 
new buildings 
before the ruins 
were cold and work was resumed in the 
new factory in less than a month. This 
was done by Mr. Moulton when most 
men of his advanced years and ample 
fortune would have retired from active 
life and its cares and responsibilities. 

In 1S65 Mr. Moulton turned his en- 
ergies to the establishment of a national 
bank to accommodate the financial 
needs of the business interests of Laco- 
nia. which were so rapidly increasing. 
His efforts for a charter were finally 
successful, and he founded the Laconia 



66 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



National bank, of which he was the first nected with the Uniformed Patriarchs 

president, a position which he held until of that order. 

his death. Other local enterprises in Mr. Moulton married, July 15, 1833, 

which Mr. Moulton engaged included Nellie B. Senter of Centre Harbor, 

the Gilford Hosiery Mills, of which he whose ancestors were among the early 

became sole owner in 1S68, and con- settlers of that town. They had five 

ducted successfully for many years, fur- children, Edwin C, Samuel M. S., and 

nishing employment to hundreds of William H., all three deceased, and 

operatives and having an annual pro- Horatio F., now located in Los Angeles, 

duction valued as high as one hundred California, and Ida L., who married 



and twenty-five thousand dollars. In 
company with the late Benjamin E. 
Thurston, Mr. Moulton owned and con- 
ducted the La- 
conia grist-mill, 
and in other 
and various 
ways he was in- 
terested and 
contributed 
greatly to the 
improve m ent. 
growth, and 
p r o s p e r ity of 
Laconia. He 
was beyond all 
d oubt one of 
the ablest finan- 
cie r s in this 
section of New 
Hampshire. 

In politics 
Mr. Moulton 
was always a 
sterling Demo- 
crat. He rep- 
resented the 
sixth district in 
the state senate 
in 187 1 and in 
1872, and was 



Hon. Joshua B. Holden of Boston, 

Mass. 

Mrs. Moulton died November 18, 
i860, and in 
August, 1866, 
Mr. Moulton 
married Sarah 
A. McDougall, 
who s e death 
took place May 
10, 1894, a few 
weeks before 
the death of 
the sub j e c t of 
this sketch. 




The Late 
William Clow. 



The I. 



William Clow, 
for nearly twen- 
ty years a citi- 
zen of Lake- 
port, was one of 
the pioneer hos- 
iery man u f ac- 
turers of the 
United States. 
He was born in 
Leicester, Eng., 
but came to this 
a member of the governor's council in country at the age of fifteen years. Mr. 
1874. He was a delegate to the Dem- Clow was located at Portsmouth, N. H., 
ocratic national convention in 1S76. and where he first engaged in the hosiery 
a candidate for presidential elector on business, and he manufactured about 
the Tilden ticket. the first full-fashioned hose made in 

In religious affairs, Mr. Moulton was America. His goods took high rank 
a liberal Christian, and he was one of among similar productions, and were 
the organizers and principal supporters awarded all the prizes at the exhibitions 
of the First Unitarian church in Laco- and fairs. 

nia. Mr. Moulton was one of the char- Mr. Clow was located in Portsmouth 

ler members of Winnipiseogee lodge of for about twenty-five years, and then 
Odd Fellows which was founded at went to Manchester, where he con- 
Laconia in 1842, and was also con- tinned in the hosiery business, until he 



THE ILLUSTRATED L \CONIAN. 



67 



came to Lakeport, which was about 
18S0. At this time, Mr. Clow, with his 
son, Henry B. Clow, formed the firm of 
Win. Clow & Son. and reengaged in the 
hosiery manufa c tu r e 
in Lakeport. Mr. Clow 
died in January, 1S99. 
and is survived by a 
widow and six chil- 
dren, — three sons and 
three daughters. 



Wm. Clow & Son. 

The firm of Wm. 
Clow & Son, located a l 
No. 44 Bayside court. 
Lakeport, is one of 
the successful hosiery 
concerns of Laconia. 
The business was es- 
tablished about twelve 
years ago by the late 
William Clow and his 




Henry B. Clow. 



son, Henry B. Clow. 
The industry employs about one hun- 
dred and twenty operatives, and pro- 
duces between four and five hundred 
dozen hosiery per clay. Henry B. Clow inence, with broad fields, fenced with 



Henry I!. Clow, manager of the es- 
tablishment of Win. Clow & Son, was 
born September 30, 1863, in Ports- 
mouth, N. H. He was educated in the 
public schools of that 
city, and came to Lake- 
port when a young 
man, about eighteen 
years ago. Mr. Clow 
was married to Cora B. 
Lane of Lakeport in 
1 882, and lias live chil- 
dren, three daughters 
and two sons. Mrs. 
( 'low died about live 
years ago, and in June, 
1898. Mr. Clow mar- 
ried Nellie E. Judd, 
also of Lakeport. Mr. 
and Mrs. Clow reside 
on a magnificent farm 
on Lake street, lead- 
ing to The Weirs. 

This farm was for- 
merly the stock farm 
of Dr. Joseph C. Moore, and is one of 
the finest country places in New Hamp 
shire, situated upon a commanding em- 










Residence oi Henry B. Clow. 

is the manager of the business, and the substantial split stone walls, and the 

firm manufactures ladies', misses', boys' scenery is unsurpassed, embracing a 

and infants' hosiery, in wool and most charming and magnificent view of 

worsted. lakes, mountains, and fanning country. 



68 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



with the city of Laconia in the back- 
ground. 

Mr. Clow is connected with several of 
the secret fraternal orders. He is a 
member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of 
Pythias, Rebekahs, and Patrons of 
Husbandry. In politics Mr. Clow is a 
Republican. 



Joseph H. Gingras. 

Joseph H. Gingras, proprietor of the 
" Gingras Shoe Store," was born in St. 
Paul, P.Q, Sep- 
tember^, 1863. 
A little later 
his parents re- 
moved to Stan- 
stead, P. Q., 
where he a t - 
tended the pub- 
1 i c schools, 
coming to La- 
conia at the age 
of seven teen. 
Naturally ambi- 
tious, he per- 
severingly ap- 
plied himself to 
procure the 
means for a 
course at the 
New Hampton 
Literary Insti- 
tution, upon the 
completion o f 
which he en- 
tered the em- 
ploy of O'Shea 
Bros., where for 
many years he 
had charge of the boot and shoe de- 
partment. In 1888 he opened a shoe 
store in Berlin, but soon, having an ad- 
vantageous opportunity to sell, he re- 
turned to Laconia and resumed his 
former position. April 18, 1893, he 
married Jennie A., daughter of Dr. and 
Mrs. N. L. True, of Laconia. 

In 1896 he resigned his position at 
O'Shea Bros, to take a course of study 
at the Klein Optical school in Boston, 
Mass. The following two years he 
devoted exclusively to the optical busi- 




Joseph H. Gingras 



ness, traveling chiefly in northern New 
Hampshire. In April, 1898, he estab- 
lished the boot and shoe business at 548 
Main street and has since then limited 
his optical profession to home practice. 
Having a large experience in public 
trade with characteristic enterprise, Mr 
Gingras has supplied the demand for 
finer lines of footwear than have ever 
before been shown in this city. His 
shelves are filled with the latest and 
most noted makes of boots and shoes 
for men, women, and children, which 
cannot be found 
elsewhere out- 
side the largest 
cities. He also 
carries medium 
and low-priced 
goods. Honor- 
able in all his 
transactions, al- 
ways on the 
alert to please 
his customers, 
success was as- 
sured from the 
first and in a 
little more than 
a year the Gin- 
gras shoe store 
has become the 
leading store 
of its kind in 
northern New 
Hampshire. 
Mr. Gingras is 
a m e m ber of 
Mt. Lebanon 
Lodge, Free 
and Accepted 
Masons and also of Granite Lodge, 
A. O. U. W., of this city. 



Joseph P. Morin. 



Among the enterprising young hosiery 
manufacturers of Laconia is Joseph P. 
Morin, whose establishment is located 
in a portion of the old Belknap Mills 
property. Mr. Morin employs about 
sixty people in his industry and his mill 
has a capacity of two hundred dozen 
hosiery per day. He makes a specialty 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



69 



of misses' and infants' medium and high- 
grade goods. 

Mr. Morin has a beautiful residence 
on Gilford avenue. He married Georgia 
M. Jacques in 1880, and has a family of 
four children, two boys and two girls. 
In religion, Mr. Morin is a Catholic and 
an active member of the society, at the 
Church of the Sacred Heart. 

Mr. Morin was born in Ham Nord, 
P. Q., June 26, i860. He came to 
Laconia in early life and attended our 
public schools, completing his education 
at the New 
Hampton Li t- 
erary Institu- 
tion. He is a 
practical hos- 
iery manu f a c - 
turer , and i s 
familiar with 
every detail of 
the industry. 

Mr. Morin, 
although not 
an active politi- 
cian, has been 
honored by an 
election as one 
of the board of 
su pervisors of 
the city of La- 
conia, several 
times, h a v i n g 
held this posi- 
tion for about 
ten years, up 
to the present 
time. 

Mr. Morin 
has also been 
quite prominent in the order of Cath- 
olic Foresters, and at the present time 
is state secretary of New Hampshire for 
this order. He is also a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen of 
Laconia. 




Joseph P. Morin. 



The Pepper Manufacturing: Co. 

The Peppei Manufacturing Co. was 
incorporated in May, 1890. The busi- 
ness dates back to 1857, being one of 



the oldest industries, in the line of man- 
ufacture of knitting machinery, in the 
United States. The first machines 
built by the founder of the business, 
Mr. William II. Pepper, were of the 
class known as the circular rib frame, 
which were constructed and intended 
to produce a tubular ribbed fabric which 
was cut to the required length for the 
legs of stockings. Subsequently the 
Mat heeler and footer was built, on 
which the feet of the stockings were 
knit. Later, the Pepper fiat frame was 
invented, w i t h 
patent welt and 
slack course 
device for the 
prod uction of 
shirt cuffs and 
drawer bottoms 
with finished 
ends. From 
year to year 
improveme nts 
were made and 
new devices 
were perfected 
and patented, 
and the busi- 
ness enlarged 
to meet the 
increasing de- 
mand for the 
machines, which 
are to be found 
to-day in nearly 
all the principal 
knit goods bus- 
iness towns in 
the United 
States. ( 'anada, 
and the Provinces, from a limited bus- 
iness, it soon acquired more than a local 
reputation, and it was necessary to en- 
large and broaden the industry, and from 
the comparatively few kinds of machines 
built the company are now producing 
machinery for the production of all 
sizes of tubular, plain, and ribbed fab- 
rics, from the size of infants' mitts, to 
men's jackets, and sweater bodies, 
including the different gauges of fabric, 
and patterns for stripes, blocks, dia- 
monds, etc., many of the devices for 



7 o 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



producing these patterns being secured 
by letters patent. 

In 1887, A. T. L. Davis and G. A. 
Sanders were admitted as partners in 
the business, the style of the concern 
being W. H. Pepper &: Co. 

Three years later the Pepper Manu- 
facturing Co. was incorporated with 
W. H. Pepper, president, A. T. L. 
Davis, treasurer, and G. A. Sanders, 
secretary. In August, 1S97, Mr. Davis 
disposed of his interest in the company, 
retiring from the business. The pres- 
ent officers 
are president, 
W. H. Pep- 
per ; secre- 
tary and trea- 
surer, G. A. 
Sanders. 

The works 
and office of 
the company 
are at No. 
25 Quinby 
street, Lake- 
port, N. H. 



William H. 
Pepper* 




William H. 
P e p p er, an 
esteemed res- 
ident of Lake- 
port, and the 
founder and 
president of 
the Pepper 
Manufactu r - 

ing Co., was William H. Pepper, 

born in the 

year 1S30 in Nottingham, Nottingham 
county, England, son of Daniel and 
Mary (Parkins) Pepper. The father was 
a lace maker by trade. Of his five chil- 
dren, four sons and a daughter, Wil- 
liam H., is the sole survivor. Both pa- 
rents are also deceased. 

Having come to this country in his 
early boyhood, William H. Pepper 
received his education in the common 
and high schools of Portsmouth, N. H., 
where his father was enc-need in the 



manufacture of hosiery. After leaving 
school, he entered his father's shop and 
operated a hand loom until he was 
seventeen years old. He was next, for 
a short time, employed in the hosiery 
mill of Warren & Sanford at Ports- 
mouth. On leaving there he worked in 
a machine shop in Lowell, Mass. While 
at the last named place, Hosea Crane 
sent him to Philadelphia in charge of a 
knitting machine to be placed on exhi- 
bition. After this he returned to Ports- 
mouth, but subsequently went to work 

in the Henry 
Marchant 
mills at Paw- 
tucket, R. I. 
Later he was 
employed i n 
Valley Falls 
in a rubber 
lining estab- 
lishment. He 
next secured 
a position as 
overseer in 
the John Nes- 
mith mills at 
Franklin, 
N. H., with 
which he had 
been con- 
nected four 
years w hen 
the plant was 
destroyed by 
fire in the 
spring of 
1857. Going 
then to Lake 
Village, he 
became su- 
perintendent in the Thomas Appleton 
mill, where he remained between two 
and three years. On leaving that em- 
ployment he formed a co-partnership 
with his brother and engaged in the 
hosiery business, which they conducted 
under the firm name of J. & W. H. 
Pepper. Later on he was associated 
with J. S Crane, forming the firm of 
Crane & Pepper in the manufacture 
of knitting machines for his brother 
John. John afterward joined him in the 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



7 1 



enterprise, once more forming the firm 
of J. & W. II. Pepper, which lasted for 
several years. After separating from 
his brother he carried on the business 
alone until 1886 when he admitted two 
of his workmen to partnership, and the 
style of the firm became W. II. Pepper 
& Co. In 1890, the Pepper Manufac- 
turing Co. was formed with William H. 
Pepper as president, G. A. Sanders as 
secretary, and A. T. L. Davis for treas- 
urer, Mr. Pepper being also a director. 
He has also served as a director of the 
Lake Village 
savings bank, 
and was for 
a number of 
years a direc- 

tor of the M 

Lakeport Na- * 

tional bank, 
also a mem- 
ber of its 
financial 
comm i tte e . 
Mr. P e p p e r 
has been mar- 
ried three 
times. His 
first marriage 
was contract- 
ed with Ellen 
A. Jackson 
of Cor i n t h , 
Me. ; his sec- 
ond with Mrs. 
Addie Chen- 
ey, of Lake- 
port ; and his 
thi r d , wit h 
Nellie S . 
Moulton, daughter of William P. Moul- 
ton of Lake Village. 1 1 is daughter, 
Emma M., by his first marriage, married 
George A. Sanders. Mr. Pepper is a 
Republican, and has always taken con- 
siderable interest in political matters. 
In 1890 he was elected to the state leg- 
islature, where he served on the manu- 
facturing committee and gave his 
support to the passage of the bill for 
providing buoys for the lake, and for 
the lighting of the Weirs channel. Pre- 
vious to entering the legislature he was 



chairman of the board of supervisors for 
two years. He is a member of Choco- 
rua lodge. No. 51, [.O.O. F., being a 
P. G., also P. C. P. of Laconia Encamp- 
ment, and a member of Canton Osgood, 
P. M. 

George A. Sanders. 




George A. Sanders. 



George A. Sanders, secretary and 
treasurer of the Pepper Manufacturing 
Co., was born in Gilford, N. II., Octo- 
ber 4th, 1S51, son of George W. and 

Sarah) Smith i 
Sanders. He 
received his 
education at 
the sch 00 1 s 
in G i 1 f o r d 
a n d N e w 
Hampton. 

On leaving 
school he en- 
t e r e d the 
office of his 
father, who. 
in connection 
with his farm- 
ing interests, 
operated the 
" Lake Co's " 
s a w mill at 
Lake Village, 
the pr od u ct 
of the mill 
being dimen- 
sion lumber, 
shook, h osi- 
ery oases, etc. 
Attn- about 
two years he- 
gave up this position, going to Boston, 
where he secured employment as sales- 
man in the retail dry goods house of 
Jordan. Marsh & Co., remaining there 
one and one half years, subsequently 
returning to Gilford and was engaged 
for one season as express and mail 
agent on the steamer '■ Lady of the 
Lake," ("apt. S. I'.. Cole, commanding. 
In the fall of 1875 m> entered the ma- 
chine shop of W. II. Pepper to learn 
the trade. 

In the year [887 Mr. Sanders se 



72 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



cured an interest in the business of 
kniting machine building, at which 
time the firm of W. H. Pepper & 
Co. was formed. In 1890, when the 
Pepper Manufacturing 
Co., was incorporated, 
he was chosen as sec- 
retary of the company, 
which position he still 
holds. On the retire- 
ment from the business 
of Mr. Davis, the trea- 
surer, in August, 1897, 
Mr. Sanders was chos- 
en to fill the vacancy. 
He was married in No- 
vember, 1875, to Emma 
M., daughter of W. H. 
Pepper. Mrs. Sanders 
died in March, 1879. 
leaving one daughter, 
Ethelyn M. In 1884 
he was married to Ella 
E., daughter of Palmer 
A. Wood, of Lakeport. 

In political views and affiliations Mr. 
Sanders is a Republican. For twenty- 
seven years he has held membership in 
Chocorua lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., 



F. Geo. H. Osgood. 




F. George H. Osgoo 



Osgood & Co., jewelers, succeededfto 
the business of S. E. Young & Co., on 
August 6, 1 888, and 
although Mr. Osgood 
is one of Laco nia's 
youngest business men, 
he is at the head of a 
long-established and 
successful bus i n e s s , 
the store having been 
conducted by the late 
Samuel E. Young for 
nearly thirty years be- 
fore Mr. Osgood took 
possession. F. George 
H. Osgood, the present 
proprietor, was born on 
the Gilford side of the 
river, which is now 
part of the city of La- 
conia, August 6, 1865, 
and was educated in 
the public schools of 
Laconia, including the Laconia High 
school. He was married July 21, 1896, 
to Miss Mary A. Sanders. He has al- 
ways been interested in secret fraterni 




Jewelry Store of F. George H. Osgood. 

also being a member of Laconia encamp- ties, and is a member of the Masons, 

ment, and Canton Osgood, No. 5, P. M., Knights Templar, Odd Fellows, Knights 

having passed the chairs in the three of Pythias and Ancient Order of United 

branches of the order named. Workmen. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



73 



Osgood & Co. always carry a large course at Tilton seminary. Almost be- 



stock of watches, clocks, silverware. 
chains, optical goods, and trinkets of all 
kinds in the jewelry line. They handle 
reliable goods and only 
ask a fair profit. Watch 
repairing and engrav- 
ing are departments 
of their business and 
square-dealing is the 
motto in every depart- 
ment. In these days 
of cheap watches, gold 
bricks and paste dia- 
monds, it is pleasant 
to deal with reliable 
merchants, and people 
who trade with Osgood 
& Co. may depend on 
getting their money's 
worth, whether they 
invest in solid silver 
and gold jewelry or in 
the plated goods. 



4 «»k 



I 



fore he left his studies he was a clerk in 
the general store of his father, the firm 
then being Pitman & Tilton. Most of Mr. 
Pitman's life has been 
spent in this store, 
which is now conduct- 
ed by his brother, Jo- 
seph W. Pitman, and 
himself, under the firm 
name of |. P. Pitman 
& ( '()., carrying a large 
line of hardware, mill 
supplies, cutlery, small 
wares, paints, oils, bi- 
cycles, field and garden 
seeds, etc. 

Mr. Pitman is also 
interested in the man- 
ufacturing business, 
being a stockh older 
and director in the 
well-known Pitman 
Manufacturing Co., 
one of the largest and 
oldest hosiery manufacturing concerns 
in New Hampshire. He aiso has a con- 
\\alter H. Pitman, youngest son of siderable real estate interest in this city, 
the late Joseph P. Pitman, is a native owning numerous cottaees for rental. 







Walter H. Pitman 



Walter H. Pitman. 




lEWM * M 1 LI 1 

® tiiMiii i nit 




Residence of Walter 11. Hitman. 



Laconian and has always resided in this 
city. He was born August 28, 1856, 
and received his education in the public 
schools of Laconia. supplemented by a 



In religious affairs, Mr. Pitman is a 
Congregationalist, being a member of the 
North church, and quite active in all the 
affairs of the church and society. Mr. 



74 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Pitman married Elora E. Jackman, and 
they have two children at their elegant 
and pleasant home on Pleasant street, 
Florence Ruth Pitman and Joseph Pres- 
cott Pitman. An older daughter, Helen 
Elizabeth Pitman, aged 7 years, died 
February 27, 1898. 

The Huse Machine Shops. 

The Huse machine shops, under the 
ownership and management of Warren 



to six men being employed at the start. 
The industry has grown and prospered 
during the twenty years of its exist- 
ence, and now employs from thirty-five 
to forty men. 

In 1896 the old shops became inade- 
quate to handle the increasing business, 
and consequently a new three-story 
building was erected and connected 
with the former establishment, giving 
over ten thousand square feet of floor 
space. The establishment is a model 




'I lie lliibe Machine Shops. 



D. Huse, at No. 117 Union avenue, is 
not only one of the important indus- 
tries of the city of Laconia, but is also 
an establishment which has acquired 
much more than a local fame, being 
well-known in all parts of the United 
States, where knitting machinery is 
used to any extent. 

Mr. Huse is a manufacturer of circu- 
lar rib knitting machines, yarn wind- 
ers, and other knitting mill machinery. 
The business was established in 1878 by 
Mr. Huse, in a small way, only from four 



machine shop, fitted with all the 
modern improvements, up-to-date ma- 
chinery, etc., and divided into separate 
departments for drawing, pattern and 
model making, experimental work, 
blacksmithing, etc., and equipped with 
much machinery especially adapted to 
produce the fine machinery for which 
the Huse shops have a well-earned repu- 
tation, wherever their inventions have 
been introduced, and the Huse machines 
are well and favorably known among the 
knitting mills throughout this country. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



75 



Mr. Huse has been actively engaged 
in the manufacture and operation of 
knitting machines for over thirty years. 
and has invented quite a good many 
improved devices, which have made 
his machines especially desirable. He 
has associated with him his two sons, 
who have both taken an active part in 
the management of the business for 
over ten years, Leon C. Huse taking 
part in the construction and improve- 
ment of the machines, and Walter L. 
Huse takes charge of the office affairs 
and business 
end of the in- 
dustry. Nearly 
all of the men 
employed in 
the Huse shops 
are skilled me- 
chanics and 
among the best 
workmen to be 
found in this 
section of the 
country. 

In addition 
to the knitting 
machinery bus- 
iness, which was 
the foundation, 
perhaps, of this 
indu stry, the 
concern is also 
engaged exten- 
sively in gen- 
eral job work 
in their line, 
which includes 
the construc- 
tion and repairs 



In politics Mr. 1 1 use is a Republican, 
and he has served as a member of the 
Laconia city council, but he is not an 
active politician, preferring to spend all 
the time he can spare from his business 
interests, in the enjoyment of life on the 
shores of our lakes, he and his sons 
having a handsome and convenient cot- 
tage on Lake Winnipesaukee. 



The Late George Alvin Sanders. 




Warren D. Huse. 



The late Col. George Alvin Sanders 
was born in La- 
conia, Decem- 
ber 10, 1846, 
and was educa- 
ted in the pub- 
o. lie schools of 

this place and 
at A p p 1 e t o n 
academy at 
New Ipswich, 
N. H. He be- 
gan his busi- 
ness career by 
entering his 
father's store 
as a clerk, but 
shortly after, in 
1 S 6 4 , he re- 
moved to Bos- 
ton, where he 
became book- 
keeper for a 
wholesale firm. 
Relinquish i ng 
this position a 
year later, he- 
entered the em- 
ploy of Abram 



of all kinds of machinery, building of French & Co., by whom for twenty-one 
engines, the furnishing and erection of years he was employed as a traveling 
steam and hot water heating apparatus, 
in both private and public buildings. 
Up-to-date plumbing is a special branch 
of the Huse shops which receives much 
attention, and this concern is the recog- 
nized headquarters for work in this line 
in this section. The advent of the bi- 
cycle has created an important branch 
of business at the Huse shops, special 
attention being paid to repairs of all 
kinds in this line. 



salesman, canvassing almost the entire 
New England states in his routes. 

In 1886, his father's failing health 
drew him back to his old home in 
Laconia, where in company with his 
brothers he assumed the management 
of his father's business, under the firm 
name of Sanders Bros., a partnership 
which terminated in [892, when Colonel 
Sanders assumed sole charge. 

As a Republican. Colonel Sanders 



7 6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



has been prominent. In the legislature 
of i88g-'9o he headed a successful 
legislative ticket in Laconia. In 189 1 
he was made an aide-de-camp on the 
staff of Governor Tuttle, with the rank 
of colonel. In 1892 he was chosen a 
commissioner of Belknap county. Colo- 
nel Sanders was active in the formation 
of the White Mountain Travelers' asso- 
ciation, and served as its secretary and 
treasurer. In the new city government 
of Laconia he held the position of chief 
engineer of the fire department. He 
was a trustee 
of the Belknap 
Savings Bank, 
and a director 
in the Laconia 
Gas Co. 

In secret so- 
ciety circles he 
ran ked as a 
thirty-secon d 
degree Mason, 
Past Em inent 
Commander of 
Pilgrim Com- 
mander}' of 
Knights Tem- 
plar, a Knight 
of Pythias, and 
a Red Man. At 
the time of his 
death he was 
Senior Grand 
Warden of the 
Grand Com- 
m andery c f 
Knights Temp- 
1 a r , of New 
Hampshire. 

Colonel Sanders possessed a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 
He was generous to a fault, it being a 
prominent trait of his life never to let 
the needy depart wanting any of the 
comforts of life which he could supply. 
He was faithful to every trust imposed, 
either public or private, and everywhere 
he ranked as a whole-souled, genial, 
companionable, active man, the best of 
friends, the truest of comrades. 

Colonel Sanders was twice married, 
his first wife being Miss Addie E. Cur- 




rier of Cambridge, Mass., and his sec- 
ond wife, Miss Ida M. Chase of New 
Hampton. He left a widow and three 
children, Frank Currier Sanders, Emma 
Louise Sanders, and Serena Gertrude 
Sanders. 

Colonel Sanders died December 2, 

189S, of Bright's disease, and his death 

took from Laconia one of our most 

active and popular citizens, a man who 

was always promptly interested in every 

enterprise and movement of a public 

nature. But few men have been so 

prominent in 

Laconia social 

and business 

life, and but 

few men would 

be more missed 

by the general 

community. 



Dr. Charles S 
Gilman. 



The Late George Alvin Sanders. 



Dr. Charles 
S. Gilman, now 
located at Sun- 
cook, N. H., 
where he en- 
joys a large and 
lucrative prac- 
tice,was born at 
Lake Village, 
when the terri- 
tory was a part 
of the old town 
of Gilford, Oc- 
tober 23, 1S71. 
He is the son 
of Noah C. and 
Mary (Sleeper) Gilman of 54 Clinton 
Street, Lakeport, and is a descendant 
in his paternal line from Edward Gil- 
man, who came from Norfolk county, 
England, in May, 1670. Dr. Gilman 
attended the public schools of Lakeport 
and Laconia. and then went to Tilton 
seminary at Tilton, N. H. After grad- 
uating from Tilton seminary he did re- 
portorial work on the Manchester Union 
and the New Hampshire Republican, 
and worked at Cram's grocery, Hub- 
bard's shoe store, and Collins' pharmacy 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



77 



at Lakeport, to secure funds to enable 
him to pursue a course of study in 
medicine. Dr. Oilman studied medicine 
at the University of Vermont, Burling- 
ton, and at Tufts College Medical 
school at Boston, and finally at the Bal- 
timore Medical college at Baltimore, 
Maryland. Dr. Oilman graduated from 
the Baltimore Medical college April 22, 

1896. He studied the practical side of 
his profession at the Boston Dispensary 
with Dr. W. T. Slayton of Boston ; at 
the Maryland General and Lying-in 
Hospital at Balti- 
more, and at the 

Baltimore Medi- 
cal College Dis- 
pensary. 

After taking 
his degrees, Dr. 
Oilman practised 
his profession at 
Lakeport for a few- 
months, and then 
removed to Sun- 
cook in February, 

1897, taking the 
office of the late 
Dr. G. H. Lara- 
bee, where he has 
been u n u s u a 1 1 y 
succes sful, and 
where he has a 
steadily-incr eas- 
ing general prac- 
tice. 

While at Tufts 
college, Dr. Gil- 
man was editor 
from the medi- 
cal school of the 
"Brown and Blue," Tufts junior class 
annual, a member of Gamma Chapter 
Alpha Kappa Kappa, a Greek letter 
medical college fraternity. He is also 
member of the Winnipesaukee Academy 
of Medicine, the New Hampshire Medi- 
cal society, and of Pembroke grange. 
Patrons of Husbandry. 




Dr. Charles S. Oilman 



Edwin D. Ward. 



One of the most active and promi- 
nent citizens of the Lakeport end of 



Laconia is Edwin D. Ward, who at the 
present time carries on a successful 
undertaking business, and also carries 
a complete assortment of mouldings and 
fixtures. For the past twenty-seven 
years he has been a photographer, a 
part of that time in partnership with 
George 1!. Munsey, but he now leases 
the photograph studio, though still de- 
voting some time to that branch of 
business. As a photographer, Mr. Ward's 
rooms have always had a good reputa- 
tion, and there is hardly a photographer 
in N e w II a m p 
shire w h o has 
made a s m a n y 
pictures as M r . 
Ward. 

Mr. Ward is a 
native of Brad- 
ford, X. H.. where 
he still loves to 
spe nd a portion 
of his time. M r. 
Ward was a great 
friend and admir- 
er of the late Ma- 
son W. Tappan, 
of Bradford, attor- 
ney-gene ral of 
New Hampshire. 
In secret soci- 
eties Mr. Ward is 
"a j oi n e r." 1 It- 
is a member of 
Chocorua Lodge, 
No. 51,1.0.0. F., 
a n d o f Laconia 
encampment. No. 
9, and Esther Re- 
bekah Lodge, No. 
7, of the same order. He served as 
the grand master of the order in New 
Hampshire in the years 1894 and 1895, 
and was elected as grand representative 
from this state to the Sovereign Grand 
lodge for the years 1896 and [897. 
These bodies met in Dallas, Texas, and 
Springfield, 111., and at both sessions 
Mr. Ward served on important com- 
mittees. He is a P. C. C. of Kndicott 
Rock lodge, Knights of Pythias, a mem- 
ber of J. A. Greene division, No. 12, 
Uniform rank, K. of I'. .Mr. Ward i.s 



4 _ 



78 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



also a member of Mount Lebanon lodge, 
Free and Accepted Masons. 

In politics Mr. Ward is a firm Repub- 
lican, and he has been honored by num- 
erous positions of responsibility and 
trust by his fellow-townsmen. In the 
old town of Gilford he was for five con- 
secutive years chosen as treasurer of 
the town, and was a member of the 
New Hampshire legislature in the ses- 
sion of 189 1. At the present time he 
is a member of the Laconia city coun- 
cil, from Lakeport, elected in iSqj and 
re-elected f o r 
two years in 
1899. In the 
council he has 
served upon the 
c o m mittee on 
accounts and 
claims, and 
other of the 
more important 
committees. In 
1898 Mr. Ward 
was appointed 
by Go vernor 
Ramsdell one 
of the New 
Hampshire bal- 
lot law commis- 
sioners for two 
years. 

Mr. Ward has 
not only been 
successful in 
his business, 
but as a public 
servant he has 
proved himself 
faithful, effi- 
cient, and conscientious. His public 
spirit has never been found wanting, 
and his efforts on all occasions for the 
best welfare of the community have 
gained for him the confidence of the 
people of the whole city. 




Edwin D. Ward. 



Dr. George H, Saltmarsh. 



Dr. George Harrison Saltmarsh of 
the Lakeport end of Laconia, is one of 
the best-known physicians throughout 



New Hampshire of any who are located 
in this city. He was born in Gilford 
March 3, 1859, the son of Thomas and 
Sallie (Gilman) Saltmarsh. Dr. Salt- 
marsh obtained his preparatory educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native 
town, and also attended the New Hamp- 
ton Literary Institution. After com- 
pleting his course of studies at New 
Hampton, he commenced to read medi- 
cine in 1879 with Dr. William H. Rand 
of that town, and then attended three 
courses of medical lectures at Dart 
mouth Medical 
College, where 
he gradu a t e d 
M. D. Novem- 
ber 3, 1883. Dr. 
Saltmarsh has 
been in prac- 
tice in Laconia 
since May, 
1884, and is 
one of the bus- 
iest men in his 
profession. He 
is a member of 
the New Hamp- 
shire Medical 
s o c i ety, a n d 
was honored by 
an election as 
president of 
this organiza- 
tion for the 
years i898-'99. 
He is also a 
member of the 
Winnipesaukee 
Academy of 
Medicine, and 
served as secretary of this society from 
its incorporation, July, 1895, until 1898, 
and is now the vice-president of the 
society. He is president of the New 
Hampshire pension board of examin- 
ing surgeons at Laconia, and is on the 
surgical staff of the Laconia cottage 
hospital. He is also surgeon for the 
Boston & Maine Railroad corporation, 
and attends to cases in which the rail- 
road is interested in this section of 
New Hampshire. 

Dr. Saltmarsh is a Republican in 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



79 



politics, and was a member of the New 
Hampshire legislature in iS95~'96. 

In secret societies Dr. Saltmarsh is a 
member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, 
and the New England Order of Protec- 
tion. 

In addition to his professional duties 
and the official positions which he has 
held in political and medical circles, Dr, 
Saltmarsh has found time to contribute 
some to the medical press. 

He was married July 23, 1S91 to 
Miss Mima, daugh- 
ter of Leonard R. 
a nd Mary C . 
Avery of Portland, 
Maine. They have 
two children, Rob- 
ert C, and Arthur 
Avery Saltmarsh. 



John F. Merrill. 



J o h n Franklin 
Merrill, general 
manager of the 
Laconia Electric 
Lighting Co., has 
been a prominent 
business man and 
leading citizen ol 
Laconia for half a 
century. He was 
born in Holder- 
ness, N. H., Oct. 
31, 1833, son of 
William and Han- 
nah C. (Batchel- 
der) Merrill. He 
traces his ances- 
try back to the first settlers of New- 
bury, Mass. Later on the members of 
this family took active parts in the 
French and Indian and Revolutionary 
Wars. Mr. Merrill was educated in the 
public schools of Laconia and at old 
Gilford academy. He then learned the 
marble and granite business with the 
late Albert G. Hull, for whom he worked 
a year after completing his apprentice- 
ship. In 1856, Mr. Merrill was taken 
into partnership in the business, the 
firm name being: changed to Hull & 




Dr. George H. Saltmarsh. 



Merrill. This connection continued 
for twelve years and then Mr. Merrill 
purchased his partner's interest in the 
industry and carried on the business 
alone until January, 1892, when he sold 
out. 

When the Laconia Electric Fighting 
Company was organized in [884, Mr. 
Merrill became associated with the cor- 
poration as one of its directors, which 
position he still holds, and since 1893 
he has also been general manager of 
the business. 

W hen Union 
Cemetery associa- 
tion was formed in 
i860, Mr. Merrill 
was elected a di- 
rector and t h e 
treasurer of the 
association. These 
positions he h a s 
held now for al- 
most forty years, 
and it is largely to 
his careful atten- 
tion and wise man- 
agement that Laco- 
nia takes pride to- 
day in the beauti- 
ful burial grounds 
which this associa- 
tion owns and con- 
trols. 

Mr. Merrill is a 
staunch Republi- 
can and h e has 
been honored by 
an election to the 
city council, and 
has served several 
times as a selectman of Ward 4. 

Mr. Merrill has always been prom- 
inent in the Masonic and Odd Fel- 
lows' fraternities. He is a member of 
Mt. Lebanon lodge, I'nion chapter, 
Pythagorean council, and Pilgrim com- 
mandery, Knights Templar. In the 
Odd 1'ellows, he is a member of Winni- 
piseogee lodge, and has tilled all of tin- 
officers' chairs in both lodge and en- 
campment. 

Nearly half a century ago Mr. Mer- 
rill became a member of the Free Pap- 



8o 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



tist society, and he has been treasurer 
and secretary of this society for over 
forty years. 

Mr. Merrill married Miss Flora Abby 
Rowe, Dec. 7, 1865, daughter of Mor- 
rison and Sarah (James) Rowe of Bel- 
mont, N. H. They are the parents of 
three sons and a daughter : Albert R., 
is junior partner in the firm of Hilliard 
& Merrill, wholesale dealers in cut soles 
at Lynn, Mass.; Frank Carleton is a 



nia, which was formerly Lake Village, 
born May 15, 1841, and died May 12, 
1895. He was educated in the public 
schools of Lake Village, a pattern-maker 
by trade and a very skilful workman. 
April 21, 1S66, he was married to Alice 
M. Randlett of Belmont, who survives 
her husband, with one son, E. Roscoe 
Davis. Mr. Davis was a veteran of the 
civil war. He enlisted as a private in 
the Fourth regiment of New Hampshire 




lohn F. Merrill. 



piano tuner; Frederick Dimock is em- 
ployed in the leather business with his 
brother in Lynn, Mass.; and Eva Lil- 
lian, is the wife of Eugene N. Best, a 
prominent lawyer of Minneapolis, Minn. 



The Late Francis H. Davis. 



The late Francis H. Davis was a 
native of that part of the city of Laco- 



Volunteers on July 12, 1861, and was 
discharged Nov. 13, 1864, as first lieu- 
tenant of his company. Mr. Davis was 
a Republican in politics and attended 
the Free Baptist church. He was a 
member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, Chocorua lodge. Mr. 
Davis received numerous political hon- 
ors at the hands of his fellow-townsmen, 
serving as selectman in 1877, and as a 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONTAN. 



member of the board of education in 
1881, 1882, and 1S83. When Laconia 
was made a city, Mr. Davis was elected 
a member of the first city council, re- 
presenting Ward two, and served so 
acceptably that he was re-elected for a 
second term in 1894 and 1895. In the 
council chamber, Mr. Davis always 
acted for what seemed to him the best 
interests of the city, and was always 
ready to give sound reason for the posi- 
tion he took upon any issue under dis- 
cussion in the city government. Other 
councilmen 
might s o m e - 
times forget 
the taxpa yers 
and vote to in- 
d u 1 g e in ex- 
travaga n c e s , 
but Mr. Davis 
always spoke 
and voted in 
the interests of 
the men who 
pay the bills, 
and he well 
earned the title 
of the " watch- 
dog of the city 
treasury." Mod- 
e s t and unas- 
suming, always 
genial and so- 
cial, interested 
in every move- 
in e n t f o r the 
devel opment 
and welfare of 
Laconia, he was 
a good citizen 
and the City on the Lakes lost a true 
Laconian when Francis H. Davis passed 
away. 




The Late Francis II. Davis 



Chase's Sporting: Resort. 



Ethan Allen Chase, proprietor and 
manager of Chase's Sporting Resort 
and Lunch Rooms, is a native of Mere- 
dith, N. FL, born January 7, 1856. He 
was educated in the Meredith public 
schools and also attended the New 
6 



Hampton Literary Institution at New 
Hampton. He married Alice Reed 
Sawin, June 15, 1S82, and resides in a 
handsome residence on Gilford avenue. 
Mr. Chase is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and the Uniform Rank, and 
is an attendant of the First Baptist 
church. For twelve years Mr. Chase 
conducted the well-known Round Bay 
Farm, a couple of miles from the centre 
of the city, and then for about three 
years was engaged in the carriage busi- 
ness. 

At the pres- 
ent time, Mr. 
Chase is con- 
ducting a sport- 
ing resort and 
lunch room, 
in the Chase 
building, on the 
corner of Main 
street and Rail- 
road square. 
The groun d 
floor of this 
block has been 
handsomely fit- 
ted up for the 
purpose, w i t h 
billiard and 
pool tables, 
sporting publi- 
cations, etc.. 
making a cosy 
and comfort- 
able resort for 
citizens who 
desire to pass 
a pleasant hour 
handling the 
cue, or discussing sporting events. The 
premises are neat and clean, and there 
is no necessity for any movement in the 
direction of maintaining good order, for 
the establishment is patronized by the 
best cpf people, and is as clean in this 
respect as a private club room. 

In addition to the attractions in the 
sporting line, Mr. Chase has provided a 
neat lunch counter, where sandwiches, 
doughnuts, tea, coffee, soda water, gin- 
ger ale, and other similar light drinks 
can be obtained, or a more substantial 



82 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



repast can be ordered if desired. The 
location of the establishment near the 
Boston & Maine passenger station 
makes this a convenience for the travel- 
ing public as well as the citizens of the 
community. There is no restaurant in 
connection with the railroad station, 
and hungry passengers who alight from 
the trains or who go to the station to 
take a train can have their wants in 
the luncheon line supplied at short 
notice, with the choicest food, neatly 
served, and at reasonable prices. 

Chase's Sporting Resort has been 
recently opened, but it is receiving a 



three daughters, Lillian M., Ethel W., 
and Grace L., at his pleasant residence 
on Gilford avenue. 

Mr. Moore is a Republican in politics 
and was a very active and efficient 
member of the first city council of 
Laconia. He has been for eight years 
a member of the Laconia board of edu- 
cation, and with exception of one year 
served as secretary of the board. Mr. 
Moore was tendered the position of 
city clerk of Laconia, by mutual con- 
sent of both political parties, but de- 
clined the honor. 

In secret societies, Mr. Moore is con- 




Chase's Sporting Resort. 



liberal patronage, and will evidently be 
a permanent institution and a success 
in every direction under Mr. Chase's 
careful management. 



Albert C Moore. 



Albert C. Moore, clerk at the Cole 
Manufacturing Company shops, and 
secretary of the Laconia Building and 
Loan Association, was born in Boston, 
Mass., September 8, 1858. He was 
educated in the public schools of Bos- 
ton and at Abbott academy (Little 
Blue) at Farmington, Me. He married 
Clara A. Edgerly, formerly of Tilton, 
N. H., and has a charming family of 



nected with the local branches of the 
Masonic fraternity and is a thirty- 
second degree Mason. He is also a 
Knight of Pythias, and a member of 
the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, 
and New England Order of Protec- 
tion. 

Mr. Moore is an accomplished elo- 
cutionist and takes great interest in 
theatrical affairs. He is, himself, an 
amateur actor of much more than 
ordinary talent, and if he had chosen 
this profession would undoubtedly have 
scored a success. Mr. Moore and the 
famous Harry Dixey were boy friends 
and companions in Boston and made 
their first appearance upon the stage 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAX. 



83 



together in that city, in their juvenile 
days. 

Mr. Moore is acknowledged one of 
the most efficient book-keepers in 




Albert C. Moore. 

Laconia, and in addition to his duties 
as clerk for the Cole Manufacturing 
company is secretary of the Laconia 
Building and Loan Association, a posi- 
tion which he has filled since the 
association was started in 1888. 
Probably no man in New Hamp- 
shire is better posted upon build- 
ing and loan matters than Mr. 
Moore, and it is due to his skill 
and care that the books of the 
Laconia association are frequent- 
ly cited as a model by the bank 
commissioners of the state. 



Superintendent Blaisdell of the 
City Schools. 



given as good an education as was in 
his power to acquire, and with this end 
in view he studied Latin and Greek 
with a private teacher, and entered Gil- 
manton academy in the autumn of 
1S78, and graduated from the classical 
course two years later, fitted for college. 
During the following year he taught 
three terms of school, and entered Dart- 
mouth college in the fall of 1881, grad- 
uating in the class of '85, with the de- 
gree of A. B., and receiving the degree 
of A. M. three years later. During his 
Sophomore and Junior years he taught 
short terms of school. While at college 
he was connected with the K. K. K. 
society, of which he was a prominent 
member. 

After graduation he was elected prin- 
cipal of the Hamilton ( X. V.) Union 
school. Here he had under his super- 
vision four hundred pupils and ten 
teachers. As Hamilton is the seat of 
Colgate university, it was a very im- 
portant position, and called for the best 
efforts of any teacher. After two years' 
successful work, wishing to give atten 
tion to teaching the classical rather 
than the elementary branches, he be- 
came principal of an academy at 



Joseph H. Blaisdell, superin- 
tendent of the Laconia public 
schools, is a native of Mere- 
dith, N. H., the only child of 
Daniel S. and Sarah (Potter) 
Blaisdell, but removed to Gilford 
at a very early age. 

He attended the district school until 
he was about 16 years of age. It was 
the desire of his parents that he be 




Lincoln, Maine. In two years more he 
became principal of the Whitcomb High 
school, Bethel, Vt., where he remained 



84 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



five years, fitting boys for college, and 
girls to become teachers. It was here 
that as principal of a small high school 
he taught Latin, Greek, German, Eng- 
lish, history, mathematics, and science 
daily as necessity demanded. In 1894 
he became principal of the Peppered 
(Mass.) High school, and for three years 
taught the Latin, Greek, and mathema- 
tics. In 1897 he was elected superin- 
tendent of the public schools of Laco- 
nia, which position he now holds. 

Mr. Blaisdell's experience as a 
teacher has 



Tucker first taught school in Maine at 
the Free High school at Gray. He 
then went to Wolfeborough, and was lo- 
cated there for three years, after which 
he returned to Maine, and was princi- 
pal of the Hartland academy for two 
years. He was at Fairhaven, Mass., 
one year; at Holbrook, Mass., four 
years, and came to Laconia in 1S94, as 
principal of the Laconia High school, 
succeeding Mr. W. N. Cragin. Mr. 
Tucker is a member of the New Hamp- 
shire Teachers' association, and is vice- 
president of 



been varied, 
having tau g h t 
in every state 
in New Eng- 
land, except 
Rhode Islan d, 
with the addi- 
tional state of 
New York. 
During the four- 
teen years since 
graduating at 
Dartmouth he 
has either 
taught or sup- 
ervised every 
grade from pri- 
mary to college 
preparatory. 

He was mar- 
ried in 1S88 to 
Clara L. Brit- 
ton, and has no 
children. H e 
is a member of 
Beacon Lodge, 
No. 175, I. O. 
O. F., Peppered, Mass., Mount Leba- 
non lodge, No. 32, A. F. and A. M., 
and Union Chapter, No. 7, of Laconia. 




Joseph H. Blaisdell, Superintendent of Sch 



Principal Hoyt H. Tucker, 

Hoyt H. Tucker, principal of the La- 
conia High school, is a native of Ath- 
ens, Maine, born October 6, 1858. 
He was educated in the public schools, 
and at Somerset academy, Nichols 
Latin school, and Bates college. Mr. 



this orga 11 i z a - 
tion at the pres- 
ent time. He 
is president of 
the Wi n n i p e- 
^' e - i saukee Tea c h - 
ers' Associa- 
tion, and also 
president of the 
Laconia Teach- 
ers' club, and a 
member of the 
N e w England 
History Teach- 
ers' Associa- 
tion. 

W h e n M r . 
Tucker came 
to Laconia he 
entirely revised 
the course of 
study, and in- 
troduced one 
course founded 
on the report 
of the commit- 
tee of ten. By 
this means the standard of the school was 
raised and its work made equal to that 
in many of the larger and better schools 
of New England. 

Mr. Tucker takes great interest in 
his profession as a teacher. He has 
been very successful in our Laconia 
schools in arousing an interest among 
the students for a higher education than 
is afforded by our common schools. In 
years past a very large proportion of the 
pupils of Laconia have been content to 
drop their studies before graduating 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



85 



even from the high school, but during 
the past few years the graduating classes 
have been larger, and many of the grad- 
uates have continued their education in 
higher schools and colleges. 

Mr. Tucker takes considerable inter- 
est in school athletics, and has endeav- 
ored to instill some of his enthusiasm 
into the students under his charge. He 
was prominent in the organization of 
the Laconia Education Society, largely 
composed of citizens of this city who 
are interested in our schools and in 
education gen- 
erally, and the 
format ion of 
this society can- 
not fail to be 
beneficial to the 
public schools 
of Laconia. 

Mr. Tucker 
was united in 
marriage to Vil- 
ette Maud Par- 
ker of Wolfe- 
borough , in 
1893, and they 
have two daugh- 
ters, Bethania, 
aged five years, 
and Sara Jose- 
phine, aged 
three years. 



Fred A. 



Young;. 




F. A. Young, 
tax-collector of 
the city of La- 
conia, and manager of Young's insurance 
and real estate agency, is a native of 
Barnstead, N. H., born August 4, 1866. 
He came to Laconia when a child, and 
was educated in the public schools here, 
and at New Hampton Literary Institu- 
tion and Commercial College. 

Mr. Young was employed for about a 
year as bookkeeper for George W. Riley, 
and afterwards entered the employ of the 
Melcher & Prescott Insurance Agency, 
with which he was connected for about 
six years, and then engaged in the 



lliivt H. 'J'uckcr, Principal of High School. 



insurance business for himself, after- 
wards adding a department for the 
handling of real estate transfer and 
renting of property. 

In politics, Mr. Young is a Republi- 
can, and he has held several positions 
of political honor and trust. He was 
register of probate for Belknap county 
four years, being elected in 1892, and 
held the position for two terms. He 
was elected tax collector of the city of 
Laconia in 1897, [898, and 1899, and 
his record of tax gathering is the best 
which has been 
made by any 
collector since 
Laconia be- 
came a city. 

In secret or- 
ders, Mr. Young 
is a member of 
Mt. Lebanon 
Lodge of Ma- 
sons, and also 
of Winnesquam 
colony, No. 34, 
United Order 
of Pilgrim Fa- 
thers. In reli- 
gious affairs, 
Mr. Young affil- 
iates with the 
Free Baptists, 
and he is pre- 
sident of the 
society at the 
South church, 
and a member 
of the commit- 
tee on finance 
a n d churc h 
debt. He represents an excellent line of 
strong and reliable insurance companies, 
and places risks against lire, accident, 
loss of life, damage to steam boiler by 
explosion, etc. He is not only active 
in the interests of the companies which 
he represents, but also is energetic and 
enterprising in the interest of the pa- 
trons who purchase insurance. Mr. 
Young also handles investment bonds, 
securities, and mortgages. by caret ul 
management and close attention to 
business, he has succeeded in building 



86 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



up a good line of patronage in Laconia 
and surrounding towns. 

Mr. Young also makes a special 
feature of handling real estate for his 
clients, and always has a good line of 
farms and village and city property for 
sale. In this department, Mr. Young 
also attends to the renting and collect- 
ing of rents for landlords of tenement 
property in this city and vicinity. He 
has met with good success in this 
branch of his business, and now has 
upon his books a larger list of rental 
property than 
can be iound 
elsewhere in 
this vicinity. 

Mr. Young 
was married in 
189 1 to Miss 
Carrie B. An- 
drews. They 
have no chil- 
dren. 



The Late 
D. A. Tilton. 




Pro m i n e n t 
among the bus- 
iness men of 
this city, ever 
contributing to 
its substant ial 
prosperity cov- 
ering a period 
of nearly a half 
century, was 
Daniel Atkin- 
son Tilton. Mr. 
Tilton was one 
of a family of nine children, five sons and 
four daughters. These were children 
of John and Eunice Jacques Tilton, of 
Sanbornton. The subject of this sketch 
was born in the part of that town near 
what is now East Tilton, November 16, 
1823. His early boyhood days were 
spent in Sanbornton, Tilton, East Til- 
ton, Meredith, and at Pembroke, and it 
was from the latter town that the family 
came to this city in 1842, taking up its 
residence at what is now known as the 
Willard Hotel. The son, Daniel A., 



Fred A. Voun 



came a year later, having secured a po- 
sition as clerk with the firm of H. J. 
French & Co., at that time conducting a 
general store located at the corner of 
Main and Court streets, the same being 
now occupied by John Parker Smith. 
At that time the firm consisted of Henry 
J. French and Woodbury Melcher, the 
latter the father of Hon. Woodbury L. 
Melcher of this city. Here Daniel A. 
remained until the spring of 1845, wnen 
he secured a similar position with the 
late Joseph P. Pitman, who conducted a 
hardware and 
grocery b u s i - 
ness on Main 
street, in the 
store now oc- 
cupied by J . 
P. Pitman & 
Co. A few 
years later he 
formed a part- 
nersh i p with 
his empl oyer, 
the style of the 
firm being J. P. 
Pitman & Co. 
With this union 
of interests, 
combining zeal 
with bus i n e s s 
tact, the firm 
soon entered 
upon an era of 
eminent suc- 
cess and pros- 
perity. About 
1868 the firm 
engaged in the 
manufacture of 
hosiery, and the business was continued 
up to the year 1875, when the firm of 
J. P. Pitman & Co. merged into the Pit- 
man Mfg. Co., having been incorporated 
as a stock company. Mr. Tilton was 
made its treasurer, holding the position 
of treasurer at the time of his death, 
Nov. 25, 1889. 

As previously indicated, Mr. Tilton, 
from the time of his first coming to La- 
conia, had been prominently identified 
with the business interests of the town, 
being: one of the board of directors of 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



87 



the Laconia Savings Bank, and also one on Main street in this city, is a niece of 
of the board of directors of the Laconia Mr. Tilton. 



and Lake Village Street Railway Com- 
pany. His political career began in his 









■ 1 


— 231 


" 1 


1 +v. 


* 




'4 








m>. 



To those who were accustomed to 
the every-day routine life of Mr. Tilton, 
he was known at his best. He was of a 
decided philanthropic nature, constantly 
developing a sentiment in "the greatest 
good to the greatest number," and on 
that account it was the cause of remark 
that his enemies were few. Socially he 
was always genial and courteous, greet- 
ing one and all with a happy smile of 
assurance that all was well, and these 
conditions prevailed as well within the 
domestic circle and financial board and 
the threaded thoroughfare of business 
life. 

His religious sentiments were liberal, 
yet his affiliations were with the Congre- 
gationalists (the North church), toward 
whom it was his wont to bestow charity 
liberally in its support. 



The late Daniel A. Tilton. 

election as one of the board of selectmen 
of the town of Gilford, which he held 
for several terms, and also two succes- 
sive terms as representative 
in the legislature from Gil- 
ford, at the time when that 
part of this village south and 
east of the Winnipesaukee 
river was a portion of Gil- 
ford. At the biennial elec- 
tion in 1888 he was elected 
as one of the board of coun- 
ty commissioners for Bel- 
knap county, but was obliged 
to decline the honor confer- 
red, on account of ill health. 
March 8, 1855, Mr. Tilton 
married Mary Ann, daughter 
of the late David and Mar- 
garet Ann Swazey Bowman, i-^- 
of Laconia. The result of 
the union proved to be a 
most happy one, covering 
many years of mutual devo- 
tion and one in which peace and hap- 
piness was no divided condition of their 
domestic life, but a unit. The wife of 
General William F. Knight, residing 



The Late Dr. Oliver Goss. 



Dr. Oliver Goss, who died April 12, 
1896, was for many years one of the 
best known and most successful physi- 




Ri idence of the late Daniel A. '1 illon. 

cians and surgeons in this section of the 
state. lie was horn in Rye, Oct, 26, 
1819, son of Jonathan Goss and Olive 
(Adams) Goss. His father removed his 



88 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



family to Moultonborough in 1822, 
where the subject of this sketch grew 
to manhood. His education was com- 
pleted at Sandwich, Meriden, and Gil- 
manton academies, and he taught school 
for a time in the rural districts of Moul- 
tonborough and Gilmanton. He decided 
to adopt the medical profession, and 
first studied with the late Dr. W. H. H. 
Mason, of Moultonborough, in 1843, 
then in 1S44 went to Boston, where he 
studied under the late professors, Oliver 
Wendell Holmes, Jacob Bigelow, and 
Henry J. Bigelow, of the Harvard Med- 
ical School. 



der of his life. He was an active mem- 
ber of the New Hampshire Medical So- 
ciety, joining in 1853. He was a mem- 
ber of the Winnipesaukee Academy of 
Medicine, and was the first president of 
this association. He was for years a 
prominent Odd Fellow, ever striving to 
exemplify in his daily life its teachings 
of " Friendship, Love, and Truth." He 
was always interested in agriculture, and 
was a valuable member of Laconia 
grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In poli- 
tics Dr. Goss was a Democrat. He 
served for years as a member of the 
pension bureau. 




The late Dr. Oliver Goss. 

He returned to New Hampshire, and 
in 1845 graduated M. D. from Dart- 
mouth Medical College. He commenced 
to practice at Melvin Village, on the 
shore of Lake Winnipiseogee, but in 
1852 settled in Lakeport, where he con- 
tinued in practice until his death, a con- 
tinuous practice of over fifty years. In 
1846 he was married to Elizabeth H. 
Flanders, who died June 2, 1891, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Flanders of Gilmanton. 
Four children were born to them, three 
of whom are dead ; one son, Dr. O. W. 
Goss, survives them. 

Soon after coming to Lakeport, Dr. 
Goss became a member of the Park 
Street Free Baptist church, of which he 
remained a worthy member the remain- 




The late Elizabeth Honor (Flanders) Goss. 

Dr. Goss as a youth was amiable and 
steadfast in high moral principles. He 
was possessed of rare mental faculties, 
he was temperate, frugal, and steadfast, 
immovable as the granite hills in his 
sense of right, ever quick to respond to 
the call of charity, and to render aid in 
cases of destitution and suffering. Dur- 
ing the war Dr. Goss attended the sol- 
diers free of charge, accepting no recom- 
pense, deeming this service a sacred 
duty he owed to them. Both in public 
and private life Dr. Goss was an expo- 
nent of high moral sentiments, and in 
his death the medical profession lost a 
valuable member, and the general public 
will long miss his smiling countenance, 
ripe judgment, and professional skill. 



THK ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



89 



The late Elizabeth H. (Flanders) Goss. 



Elizabeth Honor (Flanders) Goss, 
the estimable wife of Dr. Oliver Goss, 
died at the family residence on Elm 
street, June 2, 1891, 
at the age of seventy- 
four years and twenty- 
eight days. Inter- 
ment was made in the 
family tomb in the 
Hillside cemetery. 
She was one of a fam- 
ily of six children. 
Her father, the late 
Joseph Flanders, was 
born in Belmont, Jan- 
uary 15, 1790, and 
died May 6, 187 1, in 
Laconia. Her moth- 
er, Sophia (Hall) Flan- 
ders, was born in Ex- 
eter, N. H., March 7, 
1793, and died in 
Sanbornton, October 
3 1. 1S62. Mrs. Goss 
was born in Gilman- 
ton, May 16, 1817. She was educated 
in the public schools and Gilmanton 
academy. April 1, 1845, she was 




Mrs. Goss joined the church in 
Upper Gilmanton, and after coming to 
Lakeport to live she became a member 
of the Free Baptist church, in which 
she was a willing worker and ardent 
supporter. 



Dr. O. W. Goss. 



Dr. Ossian W. Guss. 



Ossian Wilber Goss, 
M. 1)., one of Laco- 
nia's best known and 
most successful physi- 
cians, is a son of the 
late Dr. Oliver Goss 
and Elizabeth Honor 
(Flanders) Goss, and 
grandson of Jonathan 
Goss, was born March 
21, 1856, in Laconia. 
He attended the com- 
mon and the select 
schools until 1873, 
was a student for one 
year in the N e w 
Hampton Institution, 
an d was graduated 
from the New Hampshire Conference 
Seminary and Female College at Tilton, 
at the close of a two years' classical 




Residence of Dr. 0. W. GoJS. 



united in marriage to Dr. Oliver Goss, course in 1876. Haying completed his 

which union was blessed with four preparatory education, he entered 

children, two girls and two boys, all Bates college, Lewiston, Maine, in 

deceased except Dr. O. W. Goss. 1876. In 1NS0. he matriculated in the 



9° 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



medical school of Harvard university, 
and was graduated M. D., in June, 
1882. 

In 1886 he entered the Post-Gradu- 
ate Medical School of New York for 
special courses in medicine and surgery, 
also taking up at various times special 
studies at Harvard Post-Graduate and 
Boston Polyclinic. 

Dr. Goss is a member of the New 
Hampshire Medical Society, the Winni- 
pesaukee Academy of Medicine, and the 
American 
Medical As- 
sociation. He 
has been in 
the practice 
of medic in e 
and surgery 
since June, 
1882, in La- 
con i a , and 
has a large 
and lucrative 
practice. In 
the literary 
line, Dr. Goss 
has contrib- 
uted variou s 
articles per- 
taining to 
medicine and 
surgery, that 
have met ap- 
proval in the 
medical pro- 
fession. 

Dr. Goss 
was marr i e d 
in 1 S 8 2 to 
Miss Mary 
P. Weeks of Moig ia Por 

Sanbornton . 

Their only child died in infancy August 
15, 1883. 

Dr. Goss is prominent in the secret 
and fraternal orders, being a member 
of the Odd Fellows, Masons, Pilgrim 
Gommandery, K. T., Knights of 
Pythias, Red Men, Elks, Royal Arca- 
num, Pilgrim Fathers, New England 
Order of Protection, Masonic Relief 
Association, etc. 



Morgfia Porter Wilson, 




Morgia Porter Wilson, so well and 
favorably known in Laconia as a lead- 
ing vocalist and teacher, is a native of 
Manchester, N. H., and the daughter 
of Charles C. P. and Caroline (Patch) 
Porter. Her voice in childhood was 
noted for its purity and compass. 

At the age of sixteen she had sung 
the leading roles in several operettas 
with marked success, and soon after 

began her ca- 
reer as a choir 
singer in the 
cities of Con- 
cord, M a n - 
Chester, and 
Lawrence, 
continuing in 
that capacity 
for several 
years. Mean- 
time, while on 
a concert tour 
in the West, 
her voice at- 
tracted the 
attention o f 
the late John 
B. Go ugh, 
and through 
his generous 
assistance 
she began to 
study u nder 
Madam J. H. 
Long, of Bos- 
ton, subse- 
quently t a k - 
ing the Ru- 
ter Wilson. dersdorff 

method of 
other teachers. With five years careful 
study, she attained a high musical rep- 
utation as a vocalist throughout New 
England. She married, in 1873, Mr. 
Julius E. Wilson, now of Lakeport, where 
they have resided for the past thirteen 
years. She is the only recognized 
vocal teacher in Laconia, and her 
ability as such is attested by the rapid 
progress of her pupils. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



9 1 



Charles L. Simpson. 

Charles L. Simpson, who was one of 
the representatives of Ward six (Lake- 
port), city of Laconia, in the state legis- 
lature of iSgS-'99, is a native of Can- 
terbury, X. H., born May 25, 1874. He 
was educated in the public schools of 
Lakeport, and for a young man has been 
very prominent in social and fraternal 
affairs. He is assistant superintendent 
of the Park Street Eree Baptist Sunday- 
school, and is on the executive commit- 
tee of the society. He is also an ex- 
president of the Young People's Society 



and is a director in the Lakeport Build- 
ing and Loan association. 

Mr. Simpson married Miss Clara 
Cyrilla Sargent. 



Wellington L. Woodworth. 



Wellington L. Woodworth, cashier of 
the Lakeport National bank, has been 
called the youngest national bank 
cashier in New Hampshire, and we 
think the claim has never yet been dis- 
puted. He is a native of Lake Village, 
born May 18, 1873. lie attended the 
public schools at Lakeport and later 




Charles L. Simpson. 

of Christian Endeavor, connected with 
the church. 

Mr. Simpson is a Democrat in politics, 
but was elected representative to the 
legislature from a strong Republican 
ward. He is employed as a clerk in the 
grocery business. 

Mr. Simpson is a past grand of Cho- 
corua lodge, No. 51, I. (). O. E.. and a 
member of Hannah Frances Rebekah 
lodge, No. 41. He is also a member of 
Belknap lodge, No. 4S, New England 
Order of Protection, and treasurer of 
the Odd Fellows' Mutual Relief Asso- 
ciation. He served as business man- 
ager of the New Hampshire Philatel- 
ist during its publication in this city. 




Wellington i.. Woodworth. 

Tilton seminary. Mr. Woodworth was 
at one time public librarian of Lakeport, 
and for several years served as assistant 
postmaster of Lakeport under his father. 
He is a member of Chocorua lodge. No. 
51,1. O. O. F., and is a past grand of 
this lodge. 

Mr. Woodworth married Edith M. 
Hull. May 18, 1898. 

He is a member of the Ereewill Bap 
tist church. Although a young man l<< 
hold so responsible a place as cashier 
of a national bank, Mr. Woodworth has 
proved himself equal to the position 
and not only discharges his duties with 
efficiency and fidelity, but is very p<>|> 
ular with all the patrons of the bank. 



9 2 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The Laconia Lumber Works. 

Down at the lower end of Water 
street, on the banks of the Winnipesau- 
kee river and the shores of Lake Win- 
nisquam, is located one of this city's 
most prosperous and thriving indus- 
tries, the Laconia Lumber works, of 
which George W. Riley is president, 
manager, and proprietor. 

The Laconia Lumber works is a 
model plant of the kind, and covers 
seven acres of land, including the saw- 
mill, sash, door, and blind factory, office- 
building, lumber yard, and numerous 



the lumber-yards affords facilities for 
loading the sawed and finished product 
of the concern. 

The wood-working factory buildings 
are all equipped with the latest ma- 
chinery and labor-saving devices. The 
boilers are supplied with fuel from the 
sawdust made in the various depart- 
ments, which is sucked up into pipes by 
fans and blown into the boiler-room, 
while the exhaust steam, after operating 
the big engine for making the power 
which propels the machinery, is run 
through immense coils of steam pipes, 
heating the air to warm the work-shops 




The Laconia Lumber Works. 



storehouses for sawed and finished lum- 
ber. The concern carries an immense 
stock of material in the lumber line, the 
amount of logs in the river, awaiting 
the sawyers at the sawmill, being reck- 
oned by the million feet, while the vari- 
ous sheds and storehouses around the 
lumber-yard are always filled with the 
finished product of the mills, besides 
large stocks of sawed lumber imported 
from the Southern states, etc. 

A substantial elevated railroad track 
enables the car-loads of timber from the 
north country to be dumped directly 
into the river close to the sawmill slip, 
while another line of track down into 



and dry the lumber, the heated air being 
also distributed around the premises by 
powerful fans. 

The shops are lighted by electricity, 
the concern having its own dynamo, 
which requires little or no attention and 
produces incandescent lights at very 
small expense. 

It is something of a conundrum where 
all the lumber and other material goes 
which is turned out every day at the 
Laconia Lumber works, but the concern 
manufactures everything in the wood- 
working line from dimension lumber 
down to shingles, and has a steady run 
of work in sash, blinds, packing-cases, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



93 



etc., and is constantly shipping large eral associates leased the property of 

orders of building materials to down- the Laconia Lumber works, in 1890, 

country customers. During the past which he purchased outright about two 

season, also, considerable lumber has years ago, having bought out all of his 
been sawed out for the Laconia car- 
shops. 



George W. Riley. 

Mr, George W. Riley, the proprietor 
and manager of the Laconia Lumber 
works, has been a citizen of Laconia 
since 1883, and is one of our most active 
and enterprising manufacturers. He 
was born in the eastern part of the town 
of Northfield, N. H., Feb. 9, 1848. He 
was educated in the public schools near 
his home, and when seventeen years old 
started in to learn the carpenter's trade. 
Before he was old enough to vote, Mr. 
Riley was in business for himself, in 
Belmont, as a contractor and builder. 
He remained in Belmont until 1S83. at 
which time he came to Laconia and con- 
tinued in the same line of business, 
also taking the wood-working shops for- 
merly conducted by Ralph Merrill, near 
the Abel machine shops. The business 
was not a success under Mr. Merrill's 





Residence of George \V. Riley. 



management, but it increased rapidly 
and prospered with Mr. Riley, and in a 
few years the industry had outgrown 
its quarters. Then Mr. Riley and sev- 



s 



( .11. 1 ge \V. Riley. 

partners in the concern during the past 
few years. 

Mr. Riley married Emma E. Elkins, 

in 1874, and they have one son, Phil M. 

Riley. They reside in their elegant 

residence on Church street, 

and are attendants at the 

Congregational church. 

Mr. Riley is a man whom 
Laconia takes pride in claim- 
ing as an adopted citizen. 
He is quiet, unassuming, 
and easy of approach, on 
business or any other mat- 
ters. He carries the entile 
'"^ business of the Laconia 
Lumber works in his mind. 
I Hil and is the recognized head 

,'u and director of every de- 
~^~ . partment of the large estab- 
lishment. His word is as 
good as his bond, and he 
, has built up his large and 
successful industry by square 
dealing, enterprise, hard 
work, and strict attention to business. 

He is public-spirited, and ready to 
lend a helping hand in any public move- 
ment for the benefit of Laconia. 



94 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Winnipesaukee Gas and Electric 
Company. 



The Winnipesaukee Gas and Electric 
Company was incorporated March, i S97, 
and was at that time the successor of the 
old Laconia Gas Company, a corpora- 
tion which had been in operation for 
many years, and had perhaps outlived 
its usefulness, as the plant was old and 
out of date, and the quality of gas pro- 
duced was not satisfactory. 

The Winnipesaukee Gas and Electric 
Company have a plant which was put in 
entirely new in 1S94, at an expense of 
$65,000, and which is one of the finest 
and best-equipped gas plants in New 
England. The factory is a brick build- 



sumers and thereby extend the service. 
The corporation furnishes gas for light- 
ing, cooking, heating, and power pur- 
poses. 

The use of gas in Laconia for heating 
and cooking purposes is comparatively a 
new idea, but for both these purposes 
there is a constantly increasing demand 
for gas ; and these features of the com- 
pany's business are proving very popu- 
lar, both on the ground of convenience 
and cheapness. There are now in use 
in this city over one hundred and fifty 
two-oven four-burner gas ranges, besides 
many smaller gas stoves, both for cook- 
ing and heating. 

The officers of the corporation are : 
President, Charles A. Busiel ; superin 




Winnipesaukee Gas and Electric Company. 



ins: of ornamental design, located on 
Messer street, and equipped with all 
new and up-to-date machinery, while a 
side track from the adjacent railroad 
affords facilities for unloading materials 
for the manufacture of gas, directly 
from the freight cars into the gas fac- 
tory. During the past two years two 
hundred and sixty new consumers have 
been added, and the number is rapidly 
increasing. About twelve miles of street 
mains have been laid up to the present 
time, covering almost the entire city; 
but extensions are constantly being 
made in every direction, both at Laco- 
nia and Lakeport, to reach new con- 



tendent, J. H. Bledsoe; treasurer, Na- 
thaniel J. Edgerly ; directors, Chas. A. 
Busiel, Albert G. Folsom, John T. Busiel, 
Samuel B. Smith, Henry J. Odell, Edwin 
F. Burleigh, Charles L. Pulsifer. 

Under this strong board of manage- 
ment the Winnipesaukee Gas and Elec- 
tric Company has succeeded in supply- 
ing a first-class gas, of very high illumi- 
nating quality, in place of the old-time 
dim, smoky, and offensive-smelling prod- 
uct, and the innovation has met with 
the approval of the citizens of Laconia, 
and resulted in building up a profitable 
business which promises to be more 
successful and popular from year to year. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



95 



Herbert S. Sanborn. 



Herbert S. Sanborn, familiarly known 
as " Doc " Sanborn, proprietor of San- 
born's drug store, is a native of Con- 
cord, N. II., born July 
27, 1869. He was ed- 
ucated in the common 
schools of the capital 
city, and learned the 
drug trade with H. F. 
Wyatt at Plymouth, 
N. H. Later, he came 
to Laconia as a drug 
clerk for George A. 
Hatch, and then man- 
aged H. F. Wyatt 's 
Laconia drug store for 
one year. In 1891 he 
purchased Mr. Wyatt's 
interest in the drug 
business in this city 
and embarked in trade 
for himself. 

April 28, 1S93, Mr. 
Sanborn married Miss 
Lottie A. Chandler, and they have a 
bright little daughter of four years and 
a son of two vears. 




Herbert S. Sanborn. 



Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester, and 
a Red Man. 

Mr. Sanborn prides himself upon the 
complete stock of goods which he car- 
ries in his drug store, including the 
freshest and purest 
drugs and chemicals, 
articles for the toilet, 
fancy goods, soaps and 
perfumes of domestic 
and foreign manufac- 
ture, cigars, and drug- 
gists' sundries, etc. 

In the " patent med- 
icine " line, Sanborn's 
drug store aims to carry 
every reliable concoc- 
tion which is placed 
upon the market, and 
it is difficult to ask for 
any remedy which he 
cannot imm e d i a t e 1 y 
produce from his ex- 
tensive stock. 

A specialty is made 
of compounding fam- 
ily recipes and physicians' prescrip- 
tions with accuracy and care, only the 
purest drugs being used for this pur- 




Drusj Store of Herbert S. Sanborn. 



Mr. Sanborn attends the Episcopal 
church, is a Democrat in politics, is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
is also a member of the celebrated 



pose. Pure soda and mineral waters 
are dispensed, all syrups being the 
choicest the market affords. 

Mr. Sanborn himself is a thoroughly 



9 6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOXIAN, 



expert pharmacist and always employs 
skilful assistants. 

Mr. Sanborn is comparatively a young 
man, but the Sanborn drug store is an 
old-established pharmacy, and its repu- 
tation for carrying a complete stock of 
every known drug and every patent 
remedy that 
is known in 
the market is 
is constantly 
in mind and 
ever on t h e 
increase. 



CityMarshal 
Scott. 




City Mar- 
shal Henry 
K. W. Scott 
was born in 
Lebanon, on 
September 6, 
1866, and 
was educated 
in the 'Tittle 
red school- 
house" of 
Scytheville, a 
suburb of 
that t o w n . 
After leaving 
school he 
served an ap- 
prenticesh i p 
with the Bax- 
ter Machine 
Co., of Leb- 
anon, and af- 
ter several 
unsuccessful 
a 1 1 empts to 
find steady 
employm e n t 
at his trade, 

in Massachusetts and in New York, he 
came to Laconia, where he was em- 
ployed with the American Twist Drill consequently Laconia is remarkably free 
Co., the Crane Manufacturing Co., and from pickpockets, bunco men, and pro- 
the Eastman Freight Car Heater Co. fessional crooks of all kinds. 
Later for a short time he was employed The Laconia police department is ad- 
by the Eastman Heater Co., in Boston, mitted to be a model organization, and 
but soon returned to Laconia, and was much credit is due to Marshal Scott. 



City Marshal Henry K. W. Scott. 



with the Abel Machine Co., in 1S93, 
when Laconia became a city. At that 
time he was elected city marshal and 
has held the position continuously ever 
since. March 8, 1890, he married Miss 
Nellie I. Shackley of Laconia, and has 
a family of two promising sons. 

City Mar- 
j shalScottisa 
past chancel- 
lor of Mt. Bel- 
knap Lodge, 
No. 20, of 
Knights of 
Pythias, and 
also a mem- 
ber of the or- 
der of United 
W orkmen. 
He was a 
promotor 
and organiz- 
er of the New 
Hamp s hire 
Chiefs of Po- 
lice Union of 
which he is 
now the vice- 
president. 
As a public 
servant, Mar- 
shal Scott is 
not only effi- 
c i e n t , but 
faithful and 
conscien- 
tious, and en- 
joys the hear- 
ty good-w i 1 1 
of the com- 
munity. His 
reputation 
for spotting 
crooks and 
dealing with 
a 1 1 habitual 
criminals is recognized and thoroughly 
appreciated by this class of people and 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 
The Late Levi B. Brown. 



97 



Tlie late Levi B. Brown, who died 
September 2, 189S, was one of the best 
known hotel landlords in New Hamp- 
shire. He was born in Hartford, Vt., 



compelled him to retire from business a 
short time before his death. 




The late Levi 1J. Brown. 

Sept. 21, 1S22, and during his early life 
was a stagecoach driver. He after- 
wards engaged in the wholesale and 
retail hardware business at Claremont, 
N. H., for a long time, and then went 
to Providence, R. J., where he was 
again interested in the staging business. 
In 1873, Mr. Brown came to Laconia 
and from that date until the time of his 
death was engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness. He was proprietor of the Mt. 
Belknap House at Lakeport for about 
twelve years, and under his manage- 
ment this house was generally admitted 
to be one of the most popular and best 
patronized establishments in New 
Hampshire north of Concord. When 
the Eagle Hotel was remodeled at the 
Laconia end of the city, landlord 
Brown was its first proprietor and was 
again successful in building up a large 
business and winning an excellent repu- 
tation for the hotel. After selling out 
the Eagle Hotel. Mr. Brown retired 
from business for a time, but afterwards 
purchased the City Hotel which he con- 
ducted successfullv until failing health 



The Late Orison Twombly. 

The fame of Laconia as a hosiery 
town and as a centre for the manufac- 
ture of knitting machinery of all kinds. 
is largely due to the inventive genius of 
some of the Laconia men who grew up 
in the hosiery and knitting machine in- 
dustries of the city. Among these men 
was the late Orison Twombly, a native 
of Portsmouth, N. II., born Oct. 12. 
1828. He was educated in the com- 
mon schools, and early in life developed 
a genius for mechanical inventions. 
He was for many years an overseer in 
the Ashland knitting mills at Ashland. 
N. H., and later came to Laconia about 
the year 1870. After coming to this 
city, Mr. Twombly devoted most of his 
attention to the invention and develop- 
ment of numerous devices for the im- 
provement of knitting machinery, and 
he held letters patent on various inven- 
tions in this line, some of which were 
very successful machines and quite 
valuable. He was located in Boston a 




l '; i^ in Twombly. 

large part of the time during his resi- 
dence in Laconia, having his genera] 
headquarters ami business office in that 
city. Mr. Twombly died Nov. 9, 1897. 



9 8 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The Waverly Shoe Company. 



The Waverly Shoe Co. was started in 
1883, under the name of Waverly School 
Shoe Co., Bemis <Sc Fletcher, proprietors, 
in Crompton's block, 13 Mechanic 
street, Worcester, Mass. 

At the end of two years the business 
had increased to such an extent that 
it was necessary to secure larger quar- 
ters, and the concern moved to Taylor's 
building, 154 Front street. Three years 
later it was necessary to occupy a part 
of the adjoining block, as the business 
was still increasing rapidly. In 1891 



rial, and to make a shoe that would give 
the best of satisfaction. 

The shoes are sold direct to the retail 
dealer, and in almost every state and 
territory of the Union. 

The demand for the Waverly shoes 
still continues to increase, and the com 
pany have had a steady call for them all 
through the hard times, doing a larger 
amount of business at the start in 
Laconia than they did in Worcester. 

The Waverly Shoe Co. shops in La- 
conia were erected especially for this 
concern and are generally admitted to 
be as good as can be found in New 




The Waverly Shoe Company. 



it again became necessary to have a 
still larger factory, which was secured 
in the Rice building, Franklin square, 
a five-story building, where the business 
was carried on until the company re- 
moved to Laconia, in February, 1897. 

The Waverly School Shoe Co. con- 
fined themselves entirely to school 
shoes until they moved to the Rice 
building, when they added new lines 
and changed the name to Waverly Shoe 
Company. 

The reputation of the Waverly shoe 
has always been of the very highest, as 
it has been the aim of the company to 
use only the best of leather and mate- 



England, all things considered, for the 
purpose. The shops are equipped with 
electric power, elevator, fire sprinklers, 
and all the modern improvements and 
conveniences. The business is under 
the management of the head of the 
concern, Mr. Gilbert C. Bemis, who is 
permanently located in Laconia and a 
welcome addition to our enterprising 
business men. 



John L. Roberts. 



John L. Roberts conducts the largest 
wood, coal, ice, and brick business in 



THE [LLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



99 



the city of Laconia. His headquarters 
and office is located at No. 19 Canal 
court, his wood and coal yards are at 
the lower end of Water street, and his 
ice pond and ice houses are located on 
Durkee brook, near the Marsh hill 
springs. The ice, wood, and coal busi- 
ness was comparatively new in Laconia 
a few years ago, and at first was limited 
for various reasons. Ice was a luxury 
a few years ago, but is to-day almost an 
absolute necessity, and must be pure 
and clean to meet with public approval. 
A few years ago, 
wood was near- 
ly all purchased 
of farmers who 
hauled the cord- 
wood into town 
during the win- 
ter, and waited 
in the streets 
for customers. 
To-day a tele- 
phone message 
to Mr. Roberts 
will bring t h e 
desired quan- 
tity of wood at 
short notice, 
either hard or 
soft, sawed by 
machinery any 
required length, 
and also split 
by machinery 
if so ordered. 
The coal busi- 
ness is also an 
industry of re- 
cent growth, 
and the amount consumed in Laconia 
still increases steadily from year to year. 
In all of these departments, Mr. Roberts 
has good facilities for supplying the 
public promptly, and with any quality 
desired. He employs nine horses, and 
about fifteen men in his business, and 
handles more wood, coal, and ice than 
any other concern in the city. Some 
three years ago Mr. Roberts constructed 
one of the best ice houses in New 
Hampshire, near the Marsh Hill springs 
in Belmont, near the city, where he also 




|nhn I.. Roberts. 



built an artificial pond by damming the 
stream, and his present plant for cutting 
and handling ice cannot be surpassed 
in New England, for the waters of the 
Marsh hill spring are widely famous for 
their purity and medicinal qualities, and 
there can be no better ice in the world 
than Mr. Roberts delivers to his pa- 
trons. 

Mr. John I,. Roberts, the proprietor 
of this business, was born in Belmont, 
September n, 1858, and was educated 
in the common schools. He started in 
t h e milk busi- 
ness in Gilford 
in 1 8 7 9 , a n d 
continued for 
about ten years. 
He came to La- 
conia in iS,s<). 
and started in 
the wood, coal, 
and grain busi- 
ness alone. In 
April, 1892, Mr. 
Roberts, w i t h 
( '. A. I )unn, and 
frank M. San- 
born, formed 
theLaconia lie. 
Coal, and Wood 
Co., and contin- 
ued until Octo- 
ber 22, 1896, 
when Mr. Rob- 
erts bought the 
entile business, 
which he still 
continues. 

Mr. Roberts 
married Ada 1'. 
Randlett of Belmont, Oct. 3, 1880, and 
they have one son, aged fourteen years. 
He is a member of the Free baptist 
church, and in secret orders is connected 
with the Ancient ( trder of United Work- 
men. 

The traditional jokes regarding the 
short weights of the average coal dealer, 
and the small cakes of the ordinary ice- 
man, which melt before they can be 
stored in the housewife's refrigerator. 
do not apply to Mr. Roberts, for he is 
square and upright in all his trans. 1, 



L.ofC. 



ICO 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



tions, honest to the last cent, and gives 
good weight and measure every time. 
These principles have been recognized 
by the public and have resulted in a 
successful and steadilv-increasing busi- 



George B. Munsey. 



George B. Munsey, of the Depot 
square clothing and furnishing goods 
store, was born in Gilford, N T . H . Oct. o. 
1861, and resid- 
ed there until 
about seven 
years of age, 
when his par- 
ents, the Rev. 
and Mrs. J. G. 
Munsey, remov- 
ed to the town 
of Gilmanton, 
and lived there 
four years. 
They then re- 
moved to East 
Tilton, where 
they remained 
five years, and 
during a portion 
of this time the 
subject of this 
sketch attended 
the Tilton sem- 
inary. His pa- 
rents then went 
to West Leba- 
non , Maine, 
and from there 
to A ndover, 

N. H., and while residing in the latter 
town, Mr. Munsey completed his educa- 
tion at New Hampton Literary Institu- 
tion. 

After completing his education he 
first engaged in the printing business at 
Tilton, which he conducted successfully 
for some time. Later he sold out the 
printing business and came to Lakeport, 
where he took up the photographer's 
profession, some twelve years ago, in 
company with Edwin D. Ward, forming 
the partnership of Ward & Munsey. 




Georare B. Munsey 



Mr. Munsey was also senior member of 
the firm of Munsey & Heath, the well- 
known bicycle dealers. 

About a year ago Mr. Munsey dis- 
posed of his interest in both the photo- 
graph and bicycle business, and at that 
time purchased the clothing and gen- 
tlemen's furnishing store, previously 
conducted by R. P. Babbitt & Co., in 
Depot square. Mr. Munsey has built 
up a good trade at this stand, and car- 
ries a large stock of reliable goods, in- 
cluding; all the latest novelties and pop- 
ular styles in 
gentlemen's 
clothing a n d 
furnishings of 
all kinds. 

The great 
advance made 
in the manufac- 
ture of ready- 
m a d e clothing 
during the past 
few years, ena- 
bles Mr. Mun- 
sey to carry a 
line of goods 
which will com- 
pare favorably 
with custom- 
made goods, 
both as to style, 
quality, and per- 
fection of fit ; 
while in the 
matter of price. 
of course the 
ready-t o - w e a r 
suits are much 
m ore popular 
with all classes of customers. He has 
a line of goods which cannot be excel- 
led by any similar establishment out- 
side of the largest cities, and his busi- 
ness is very prosperous and steadily 
increasing. 

Mr. Munsey is an attendant at the 
Park Street Free Baptist church, and in 
secret societies is connected with the 
order of Pilgrim Fathers. 

He was married in 18S3 to Miss Mary 
A. Rollins, and they reside in a hand- 
some home on Union avenue. 






THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



George B. Cox. a member of the executive committee 

of the Law and Order league of New 

George B. Cox was born in Ashland, Hampshire, a strong temperance organ - 
Grafton county, X. H., July 16, i860, son ization, supported by many of the most 
of Benjamin Franklin and Ann (Currier) influential citizens of the state. In 
Cox. His paternal ancestors were 1895 he was retained as counsel for the 

league, but in 1897 he severed his con- 
nection with that organization that he 
might devote his entire time to his pri- 
vate law piactice. 

Mr. Cox was married February 10, 
1897, to Nellie M. Hoyt of Laconia. 
The Bristol Weekly Enterprise of 
Jan. 30, [896, 



among the first settlers of Holderness 
(now Ashland), X. H., and his mother's 
family was of Scotch descent. 

He was educated in the public 
schools of Ashland, a private school at 
Plymouth, the Xew Hampton Literary 
Institution, and YYesleyan university. 
Previous to be- 
ginning his pro- 
fessional stud- 
ies he taught 
school at Can- 
dia, N. H., dur- 
ing one year, 
and was twice 
chosen as su- 
perintendent of 
schools in the 
town of Ash- 
land. In 1S85 
he began the 
study of law 
with Judge E. 
A.Hibbard. and 
two years later 
entered the Bos- 
ton University 
Law school, 
where h e w a s 
g r a d u a ted in 
1 888, with the 
degree of bach- 
elor of law. He 
was admitted 
to the New 

Hampshire bar in July of the same year 
and has since practised law in Laconia 



makes the fol- 
lowing analysis 
of Mr. Cox's 
ability as an 
orator : "Mr. 
Cox is a young 
man who uses 
sense, reason, 
and treats fairly 
and squarely 
f r o m e v e r y 
standpoint his 
subject. He is 
logical, clear, 
and emphatic , 
takes his points 
well, and argues 
his case in a 
manner that 
carries convic- 
tion to his lis- 
teners. He dues 
not rant, but 
puts cold facts 
in pointed sen- 
tences with 
practical illus- 
trations and a generous spirit that rec- 
ommends him to the consideration of 
In politics Mr. Cox is a Democrat, those who do not endorse his theories 
and has in several campaigns stumped or accept his doctrines. lie indulges 




Ge 1 ge B. Cox. 



the state in the interests of his party. 
For three consecutive years he served 
as a member of the board of education 
of Laconia, being chairman of the 
board during the last year. 

In 1S90 the Citizens' Temperance 
union was formed in Laconia, and for 
four years he was retained as its coun- 



ln sarcasm only when necessary t<> ex- 
pose the fallacy of some of his opposed 
claims, and bombards men and matters 
only when he deems it necessary for 
the welfare of the public.'* 

The Laconia Democrat of March 19, 
1899. says: " Mr. Cox fully maintained 
his invincible position as one of the best 



sel. In January. 1894, he was elected public speakers among the lawyers. 






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1 Q— . 



THE ILLUSTRATED EACONIAN. 



103 



Laconia Savings Bank. 



The handsome engraving of the 
Laconia Savings Bank accompanying 
this sketch of its history shows that it 
is not behind in progress of financial 
stability. 

This bank has been in existence since 
1831. It was organized under the name 
of the Meredith Bridge Savings Bank, 
by John T. Coffin, Daniel Tucker, John 
Sanborn, George L. Sibley, George 1'. 
Avery, James Molineux, and Benjamin 
Jewett, 3d, the original incorporarors. 
Its charter was signed by Samuel Dins- 
moor, governor ; Samuel Cartland, pres- 
ident of the senate ; Franklin Pierce, 
speaker of the house of representatives ; 
and approved July 2, 1831. 

The original list of officers was as 
follows: George L. Sibley, president ; 
Stephen C. Lyford, treasurer ; George 
L. Sibley, John T. Coffin, Woodbury 
Melcher, Daniel Tucker, James Moli- 
neux, E. W. Boynton, John L. Perley, 
John Sanborn, and Stephen L. Greeley, 
trustees. 

The first deposit was received in 
March, 1832, and since that time it has 
paid 134 consecutive semi-annual divi- 
dends, amounting to about one million 
three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 

None of the original incorporators 
or officers is now living, and since its 
foundation nearly seventy years ago it 
has had five presidents and five treas- 
urers, an average term of service of 
nearly fourteen years each. 

In 1869 its name was changed to the 
Laconia Savings Bank, and its financial 
soundness has been maintained through 
all these years. 

In 1884 its quarters were remodeled 
and a new vault put in which sufficed 
for the needs of the institution until 
1895, when the banking rooms were en- 
larged to twice their former size, a new 
safety deposit vault and bankers' sale 
added, till now it has fine and conven- 
iently-appointed banking rooms. 

The present officers of the institution 
are A. G. Eolsom, president, and Ed- 
mund Little, treasurer. The board of 
trustees is composed of the following 



well-known men : Albert G. Folsom, 
Ellery A. Hibbard, Almon C. Leavitt, 
Samuel B. Smith, W. E. Melcher, Gard- 
ner Cook, Frank II. Lougee, George A. 
Hatch, Alburtis S. Gordon, Alfred W. 
Abbott. 

The appended statement of the con- 
dition of the bank's affairs speaks for 
itself: 

ASSETS. 

Loans, $425,257.15 



State, county, 


ci 


ty, and 




district bone 


Is, 




521,450.00 


Bank stock, 






34,95°- 00 


Railroad bond. 


. and 




stock, 






101,425 00 


Miscellaneous 


bonds, 


[60, ;;;-co 


Real estate, 






83,642.00 


Hank fixtures, 






1 1 ,000.00 


Deposits in 


national 




banks, 






40,215.76 


Cash on hand, 






7,067 64 
$i,385.364-SS 






LIABILITIES. 


Deposits, 




$1 


. -77.937- -0 


Guaranty fun 


d 


and 




surplus, 






107,427.35 




^'o'oo'M 55 



This old reliable savings bank has al- 
ways been noted for its conservative 
investments, preferring security of prin- 
cipal and moderate rate of interest 
rather than large interest return with 
proportionate risk. 

Its present list of assets is composed 
of first-class securities consisting of 
home investments and gilt-edge bonds. 



People's National Bank. 

This bank, which occupies rooms with 
the Laconia Savings bank, as shown on 
opposite page, was organized in 1889, 
and has already passed its tenth mile- 
stone. 

It has enjoyed a liberal patronage 
and a prosperous and increasing busi- 
ness from its organization to the pres- 
ent time ; it aims especially to accom- 
modate its patrons, furnishing unex- 
celled facilities for the transaction of 
every branch of the banking business. 

The People's National bank quarters 
are very handsomely fitted with tile 
floors, elegant directors' room, and mod- 
ern safety deposit vaults, and in all its 



104 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



appointments and business transactions 
the establishment is a model of the 
kind. 

The officers are Albert G. Folsom, 
president ; John T. Busiel, vice-presi- 
dent; Edmund Little, cashier; Albert 
G. Folsom, Gardner Cook, John T. Bus- 
iel, Samuel B. Smith, Edwin F. Burleigh, 
Frank H. Lougee, Frank E. Busiel, di- 
rectors, and the following report of its 
condition at the present time indicates 
a well managed and successful institu- 
tion : 



Story's Drug: Store. 



Story's drug store, established in 1880, 
is recognized as one of the most relia- 
ble and best conducted establishments 
in the pharmacy line in Laconia. Mr. 
J. Henry Story, the proprietor, is him- 
self a skilful pharmacist, and he em- 
ploys thoroughly competent assistants 
in his establishment. The Story drug 
store carries a large and complete stock 
of the purest and freshest drugs which 
the market affords, supplemented by 




■■■Ms? > 



Story's Drug Store. 



RESOURCES. 
Loans and discounts, $111,750.07 
Overdrafts, 109.69 
U. S. bonds, 25,000.00 
Premiums, 1,50000 
Stocks and bonds, 5,672 . =>o 
Real estate and mortgages, 5,745.76 
Due from National bank re- 
demption, 25, 143.49 
Redemption fund with U. S. 

treasurer, 1,12500 

Cash, 9,702.83 











$185,749.34 




LI A] 


ILITIES. 




Capital stock 








$50,000 00 


Surplus, 








6,000.00 


Undivided pi 


ofits, 






2,610.49 


National bank notes 


out 




standing, 








22,500.00 


Deposits, 








104,638.85 



N s 5>749-34 



patent medicines of almost every kind 
and nature, including, of course, all of 
the standard prepared remedies. 

In addition to the compounding of 
physicians' prescriptions and the sale 
of drugs, herbs, and barks, the Story 
drug store always carries a well-selected 
line of toilet articles, surgical appli- 
ances, and, in fact, all of the small 
wares which are usually found in a well- 
equipped and properly-conducted met- 
ropolitan drug store. A choice line of 
cigars and the usual line of summer 
drinks from a soda fountain are features 
of the business at this establishment 
which receive proper attention from the 
proprietor and a liberal appreciation 
from the public. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



io 5 



Mr. J. Henry Story, the proprietor of 
the Story drug store, was born in Hop- 
kinton, N. H., Nov. 8, 1857. He was 
educated in the public schools, and 
learned the druggists' business at the 
establishment of George F. Mallard, 
entering this store in 1S76. In 1880 he 
established himself in business, and has 
been very successful in building up a 
first-class trade in his line. Mr. Story 
was married in 18S4. to Miss Idella J. 
Bean, of Laconia. 

In politics Mr. Story affiliates with 
the Democrats, 
and he served 
as deputy sher- 
iff of Belknap 
county from the 
year 18S6 until 
1890. He is a 
member of the 
Knights of Py- 
thias, the Ma- 
sonic bodies, 
and Pilgrim 
comma n d e ry , 
Knights Temp- 
lar. In re 1 ig- 
ious affairs Mr. 
Story is inclined 
to liberal views, 
and is an at- 
tendant at the 
First Unitarian 
church. 



Wffl, Wallace. 




business. Since coming to Laconia he 
has handled numerous large contracts, 
including most of the new brick build- 
ings and the immense brick chimneys 
at the Laconia car works, the magnif- 
icent Gordon-Nash library at New 
1 [ampton, etc. 

In politics Mr. Wallace is a Republi- 
can, and while at New Hampton re- 
ceived many political honors from the 
hands of his fellow-townsmen. He served 
as tax collector, was selectman for two 
years and also represented the town in 
the New 1 [amp- 
shire legis- 
lature. He mar- 
ried F a n n i e 
G. Huckins of 
New Hampton 
a n d has o n e 
daughter. Miss 
Clara Bessie 
Wallace. 

Mr. Wallace 
takes consider- 
able interest in 
secret fraternal 
organizati on s . 
He is a member 
of the Odd Fel- 
lows, Knights of 
Pyth i as. Uni- 
form Rank, and 
the Patrons of 
Husbandry. 



Cottreirs. 



William Wal- 
lace, the brick- 
mason and con- 
tractor, came to Laconia from New 
Hampton about five years ago and by 
square dealing, faithful work, and atten- 
tion to business, has built up a profit- 
able and steadily-increasing patronage. 

He was born in Epsom, New Hamp- 
shire, August 1, 1858. When four years 
of age he went to New Hampton with 
his parents, and was educated at the 
New Hampton Literary Institution. 

In New Hampton he followed the 
occupation of a farmer in connection 
with the brick-mason and contracting 



William Wallace 



Laconia has 
one establish- 
in e n t which 
actually runs "full time"' the year 
around, twenty-four hours in the clay, 
from one end of the year to the other. 
Cottreirs lunch-room, on Bank square, 
Main street, is always open, day and 
night; it is, perhaps, the handsomest- 
fitted establishment in the city on the 
lakes, and is as neat and clean as my 
lady's parlor. Cottrell's lunchroom is 
so up-to-date and inviting that people 
go there and eat who are not even hun- 
gry, and whether the patron invests in 
merely a sandwich, a cup of coffee or 



io6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



tea, the food served is wholesome and 
appetizing, and the prices are all right. 
Cottrell's is comparatively a new insti- 
tution in Laconia, but its genuine merit 
made the establishment a success from 
the start, and the place is patronized by 
our best business men and a host of 
strangers within our gates. 

Irving M. Cottrell is a native of Bel- 
fast, Me., and was born April 8, 1864, 
but is wide-awake and enterprising 
enough to be easily mistaken for a 
genuine Laconian. He was educated 
in the public schools of Belfast, is mar- 



efforts in this line also have met with 
the hearty approval of the public in 
Laconia. 

As a rule, it is said that a jack at 
all trades is master of none, but there 
are exceptions to all rules, and Mr. 
Cottrell has not yet made a failure of 
anything he has undertaken in Laco- 
nia. 

He finds time to enjoy membership in 
the fraternal orders, and is a Mason, 
Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Red 
Man, and a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 




Interior of Cottrell's Lunch Room. 



ried and has one child, a daughter of 
about three and one half years. Mr. 
Cottrell is manager of the Moulton 
opera house, proprietor of Cottrell's 
lunch-room, manager of the ice skating 
rink, and for the past two seasons 
has managed the Pearl Street baseball 
grounds, besides running a night-lunch 
cart, erecting a neat little business 
block on Main street for rental pur- 
poses, and officiating as bill-poster. Inci- 
dentally, when Mr. Cottrell is n't doing 
anything else he caters for public and 
private parties, excursions, etc., and his 



John B. Moore. 



The old established firm of J. L. 
Moore & Son, at 532 Main street, is 
one of the stand-bys in Laconia, for the 
undertaking and wall paper business of 
this concern was founded many years 
ago. The establishment is now con- 
ducted by Mr. John B. Moore, and in 
addition to the undertaking business 
and stock of caskets and burial supplies, 
wall papers, picture mouldings, etc., 
the store now handles the complete line 
of bicycles manufactured by the Pope 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOXIAX. 



107 



Manufacturing Co. of Boston and Hart- was married to Julia M. Redington at 
ford, and also has the agency of the Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1882, and they 

have three children, two 
daughters aged fifteen and 
ten years, and a son of four 
years. Mr. Moore is a 
member of Mt. Lebanon 
lodge of Masons, Granite 
lodge, A. O. U.W., and Cy- 
prus council, Royal Arca- 
num. He is a Republican 
in politics, and was the first 
city clerk of Laconia. 




The late Maj. N. B. Gale. 



John B. Moore. 

Standard Rotary Sewing machine, both 
bicycles and sewing machines being 
generally admitted the best 
in the world. 

Mr. John Brackett Moore, 
the manager of the business, 
was born in Laconia on the 
Gilford side of the river, July 
27, 1853. His parents were 
Jonathan L. and Lucy San- 
born Moore of Sanbornton. 
He received his education 
in our public schools and at 
New Hampton Institution. 
Mr. Moore was engaged in 
the hotel business for twelve 
years in his early manhood, 
serving as clerk and cashier 
in hotels in New York city 
and other places. He was 
also a traveling salesman for 
a Chicago firm for seven 
years, previous to his return to Laconia 
to engage in his present business. He 



The late Maj. Napoleon 
Bonaparte Gale will be re- 
membered and honored for 
years to come in Laconia, 
not only from the fact that 
the Gale family have al- 
ways been strong men and 
prominent citizens, almost 
from the first settlement of 
this region, but because the 
late Major (iale made pro- 
vision in his last will and 
testament for a permanent 
monument to his memory, 
in the shape of a memorial building and 
public park. Major Gale left the bulk 




Residence of John II. Moore, 
of his large estate, estimated at S150,- 
000, to the city of Laconia, for the pur- 



io8 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



poses indicated, and this magnificent be- 
quest will provide this city with a hand- 
some and substantial memorial building, 
which will be utilized as public library 
and as a historical museum. The large 
property of the late Hon. John C. Moul- 
ton, located at the corner of Main and 
Church streets, has already been pur- 
chased as a site for both the park and 
memorial structure, and in the near 
future the trustees and building com- 
mittee will be ready to procure plans 
and go ahead with the beautifying of 
the grounds and 
the erection of 
the bu i 1 d i n g, 
which will un- 
doubtedly be 
one of the 
handsomest 
and most suit- 
able structures 
of the kind in 
New Ham p- 
shire. The Gale 
bequest will not 
only complete 
the work of 
erection, but 
will provide a 
fund for its 
care and main- 
tenance. T h e 
whole matter 
is in the hands 
of Messrs. John 
T. Busiel, Ed- 
win F. Burleigh, 
and Charles F. 
Pitman, who are 
executors and 
trustees under the Gale will, and also 
trustees and building committee for the 
city. 

Napoleon Bonaparte Gale was born 
in Gilmanton (now Belmont), March 3 
1815, son of Daniel and Abigail (Page) 
Gale. His grandfather was Stephen 
Gale, who was born in Exeter, in 1739, 
who figured prominently in the French 
and Indian wars, and who settled in 
Gilmanton in 17S0. Both Stephen and 
Daniel Gale were influential men in the 
colonial days, the latter being a select- 




I'lie late Maj. Napoleon B. Gale 



man for twenty years, justice of the 
peace, representative, and an associate 
judge of the Court of Sessions. 

Napoleon Gale passed his early years 
on the Gale farm, attended the common 
schools and also the Sanbornton and 
Gilmanton academies. When eighteen 
years of age, he became a clerk in the 
store of his brother, Daniel M. Gale, at 
Lakeport, where he remained for a short 
time. In August, 1835, he went to 
Boston and was a clerk in a grocery 
store there for four years, then went to 
Meredith and 
engaged in bus- 
iness with Josh- 
ua R. Smith, 
but in 1840 he 
removed to his 
father's h o m e 
on account of 
ill health, and 
after the death 
3 I of his father, in 

1S45, he carried 
on the h o m e 
farm. In Au- 
gust, 1S52, his 
health was re- 
established, 
and he entered 
the Belknap 
county bank, 
as a substitute 
cashier for his 
brother, Daniel 
M., who was ill. 
From that date 
Major Gale was 
ever afterwards 
connected with 
the bank, being elected cashier in 1853, 
and holding the position when the char- 
ter expired, in 1866. 

In 186S Major Gale was one of the 
incorporators of the Belknap Savings 
bank, and was one of its trustees. He 
was elected president of the bank, at 
the retirement of Dr. Perley, and held 
the presidency until his decease, Dec. 
21, 1894. Politically, Major Gale was 
a Democrat, and he represented both 
Belmont and Laconia in the legislature. 
He was a man of unblemished integrity 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



109 



and conscientious uprightness. He was 
a man of great strength of character, 
kind-hearted and generous, public-spir- 
ited and enterprising, — in short, one 
of the most honored 
and respected of La- 
conia*s citizens. 



Dr. J. N. Letourneau. 



Dr. J. X. Letour- 
neau, physician and 
surgeon, is the pro- 
prietor of the Phar- 
macie Cannadien, and 
also has an extensive 
practice of his pro- 
fession in this city. 

He was born in St. 
Dominique. C a n a d a, 
May 12, 1 S 6 1, and 
w as educated at 
Jacques Cartier Nor- 
mal school of Mon- 
treal, and Laval uni- 
versity of the same 
city. 

Dr. Letourneau left 
Canada in 1867, and went to the state 
of Maine, where he resided until 18S0, 
then returned to Canada and remained 




Dr. J. X. Letourneau. 



county physician, and is a Knight of 
Pythias, a member of the Foresters 
of America, Catholic Foresters, Elks, 
Red Men and the Amoskeag Veterans. 
In religion he is a 
( atholic. 

1 le married C lar- 
isse Valois, A ugu s t 
28, 1893, and they 
have one child. 

1 >r. Letourneau is 
not only a successful 
and skilful physician, 
but he conducts the 
I 'harmacie Can n a- 
dien, a popular drug 
store. where [Hire drugs 
and all the standard 
patent medicines and 
remedies are on sale. 
Physicians' prescrip- 
tions are carefully and 
correctly compound- 
ed, and a full line of 
toilet articles, cigars, 
etc., are always in 
stock. 

Dr. Letourneau 
first opened his establishment on Mill 
street, but his business increased rapid- 
lv and he soon found it necessarv to 




IntL-ri.ii of Dr. J. X. Letourneau's Drug - 

there until he came to Laconia and procure the more convenient and corn- 
opened his drug-store in July, 1893. modious store in his present location at 
Dr. Letourneau has held 'the office of No. 549 Main street. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Daniel Kellogg. 



Probably many Laconia people who 
never visited the carriage shops of 
Daniel Kellogg on Union avenue have 
but a faint idea of the size and import- 
ance of this business, which has been 
built up by Mr. Kellogg during the past 
ten years. He carries one of the largest 
stocks of carriages and sleighs to be 
found in New Hampshire, and can sup- 
ply almost any variety of vehicle called 
for, from a costly turn-out, with all the 
modern conveniences and improvements, 
down to a cheap road-wagon or a dump- 
cart. 



until he now has a mammoth establish- 
ment, well filled at all times with a well 
selected and thoroughly reliable stock. 
Mr. Kellogg was born in Westville, 
Conn., in 1S51, but removed to New 
Haven, Conn., when very young. He 
learned the trade of carriage painting, 
and went to Vermont in 1872, and 
while a resident of that state was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary T. 
Dealing, at West Randolph. In 1883, 
Mr. Kellogg came to this city, first 
locating at Lakeport, but he soon de- 
cided there was an opening here for a 
first-class carriage shop, and he has since 
proved that his conclusions were correct. 




Kellogg's Carriage Manufactory. 



Mr. Kellogg located at 269 Union 
avenue, on Casino square, in 1889, and 
is not only a dealer in carriages and 
sleighs, but also manufactures these 
vehicles to order. Of course, repairing 
and repainting is a special feature of 
this business, and Mr. Kellogg also 
deals in harnesses, robes, whips, hal- 
ters, and, in fact, in supplies of all 
kinds in this line. The original build- 
ing in which Mr. Kellogg embarked in 
business proved inadequate for his 
rapidly increased trade, and he has 
erected additions and other buildings 



In secret orders, Mr. Kellogg is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
in politics he is a Republican. He 
was elected to the Laconia city council 
from ward two in 1884, and also repre- 
sented his ward in the last session of 
the New Hampshire legislature. 

Mr. Kellogg has just completed a 
handsome new residence on Gilford 
avenue, and he deserves the success 
with which he has met in Laconia, for 
he is honorable and upright in all his 
transactions, and enterprising and ener- 
getic in his business methods. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Ex-Mayor Charles L. Pulsifer. 



Ex-Mayor Charles Leroy Pulsifer, at 
the present time a member of the Board 
of Assessors, is a native of Lakeport, 
and has been constantly in public life 
for the past twenty years. He was 
born Jan. i, 1849, son °^ Lyman B. and 
Sarah (Sawyer) Pulsifer. His father 
was for many years a manufacturer of 
yarns at Lakeport, and was a native of 
Gilmanton, whither his grandfather 
removed from Brentwood in March, 
1795. The Pulsifers are of Scotch- 
Irish descent, and 
came to this coun- 
try in 1766. 

Mr. Pulsifer at- 
tended the public 
schools of Lake- 
port, and the Til- 
ton seminary, and 
was grad uated 
from Colby acad- 
emy, New Lon- 
don, in 1S74. He 
graduat ed from 
Brown university 
in 1 S 7 8. From 
1879 to 1894 he 
w a s principal o f 
the Lakeport High 
school and super- 
intendent of the 
graded schools of 
Lakeport. In 1895 
he resigned this 
position and en- 
tered the Lakeport 
Savings bank as assistant treasurer, and 
was recently chosen treasurer. He has 
been a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion for Laconia and Lakeport almost 
constantly since 1879, his present term 
running to 1901. From 1886 to 1892 
he was a selectman of Gilford, which 
then included Lakeport. He was a 
representative in the New Hampshire 
legislature in iSgo-'gi. He is a director 
in the Lakeport National bank, Lake- 
port Savings bank, Mutual Building and 
Loan association, and Winnipesaukee 
Gas and Electric Co. 

When the citv of Laconia was inau- 




Ex-Mayor Charles L. Pulsifer. 



gurated, Mr. Pulsifer was elected a 
member of the first city council and 
served until March 9, 1897, when he 
was elected mayor unanimously, having 
been nominated by the Republicans 
and endorsed by the Democrats. He 
was re-elected the following March by 
a heavy majority, and served the city 
so faithfully and conscientiously that he 
won the approval of all classes of citi- 
zens in both parties. Upon retiring 
from the mayorship in March, 1899, 
Mr. Pulsifer was elected a member of 
the Board of Assessors, which position 
he now holds. 

Fraternally, Mr. 
Pulsifer is a past 
officer in Chocorua 
lodge, No. 51, I. O. 
O. F., and of Laco- 
n i a encampment, 
also a member of 
Canton ( ) sgoo d , 
Patriarc h s M i 1 i - 
tant. He is a mem- 
ber of the several 
branches of the 
Masonic fraternity 
in this city, includ- 
ing Pilgrim com- 
mandery, Knights 
Templar, and Mt. 
Washington chap- 
ter, ( >rder of East- 
ern Star, and he is 
also a thirty-sec- 
ond degree Mason, 
a member of Ed- 
ward A. Raymond 
Consistory at Nashua. He is an attend- 
ant at the Union Avenue Baptist church, 
Lakeport. He was married July 30, 1 S S ; . 
to Susan E. Smiley, daughter of Dr. 
J. R. Smile) of Sutton. N. H.. who died 
April 2, 1S90. 

Ex-Mayor Pulsifer is probably more 
familiar with Laconia's financial and 
other municipal affairs than any Other 
citizen in the city. He is a man of the 
strictest integrity, fair-minded, and pro- 
gressive, and has the good-will and 
esteem of the entire community, a fact 
which perhaps his long-continued pub- 
lic service fully demonstrates. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Knight & Huntress. 



The dry goods establishment now 
conducted by Messrs. Knight & Hunt- 
ress (William F. Knight and Hamlin 
Huntress) is one of the oldest mercan- 
tile establishments in Laconia. In the 
old Meredith Bridge days this store was 
conducted as a general store, handling 
dry goods, groceries, etc., by Messrs. 
Rufus K. and Charles Parker, both now 
deceased. William F. Knight, the sen- 
ior member of the present firm, entered 
the store as a clerk for Parker Bros, in 
June, 1864, and in 1S67 he was practi- 



In 1873 Mr. Knight was a member of 
the firm of Mansur& Knight, one of the 
oldest concerns in the furniture trade in 
this place. In 1S87 the furniture firm 
was changed to Knight cS: Robinson 
(William F. Knight and Mark M. Rob- 
inson). 

Located at the corner of Main and 
Mill streets, one of the busiest spots in 
the city, the establishment of Mr. 
Knight has always been a thriving and 
prosperous concern. Strictly reliable 
goods and moderate profits has always 
been the motto at this store, and has 
resulted in a constantly increasing trade 




- 



Knight & Huntress's Dry-Goods Store. 



cally in control of the business. He 
eventually bought out the original firm 
and in company with the late Mrs. Mary 
T. Hull, under the firm name of W. F. 
Knight & Co., conducted a flourishing 
trade for ten years. During the follow- 
ing ten years Mr. Knight was sole pro- 
prietor, and then Mr. George Tetreau 
became his associate, the firm name be- 
coming W. F. Knight & Tetreau. Mr. 
Tetreau was succeeded by Mr. Hamlin 
Huntress, and the style of the firm was 
changed to Knight & Huntress, the 
present firm. 

In addition to the dry goods business, 
Mr. Knight is also interested in the 
furniture business in the same block. 



during the last half century. The 
Knight & Huntress establishment to- 
day carries a larger stock and does a 
larger business than at any time in its 
history. 

William Franklin Knight, the senior 
member of the firm, was born in Hano- 
ver, N. H., Oct. 13, 1847, son °f Edwin 
Perry and Elizabeth W. T. (Vaughan) 
Knight. Mr. Knight comes of patri- 
otic stock, and numbers among his an- 
cestors several of the early colonists 
of New Hampshire. His great-grand- 
father. William Knight, and a brother 
were Revolutionary soldiers, and the lat- 
ter received a captain's commission for 
conspicuous gallantry on the bloody field 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



JI 3 




William F. Knight. 

of Bennington Capt. Jabez Vaughan, 
the great-grandfather on the mother's 
side, was also a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and promoted from the ranks 
for long and meritoiious service. 

Mr. Knight was educated in the 
common schools of Hanover and at 
West Randolph academy He came 
to Laconia in 1864, and has been 
prominent since that time in mercan- 
tile, financial, political, and social 
life. He is a director in the Laco- 
nia National bank, a director in the 
Laconia Building and Loan Associa- 
tion, and a trustee of the Belknap 
Savings bank. He is a member of 
the Laconia Board of Trade, and has 
been secretary and treasurer of the 
trustees of the Laconia public libra- 
ry for the past fifteen years. 

Mr. Knight has been a stanch 
Republican all his life, casting his 
first presidential ballot for the late 
U. S. Grant in 1868. He was elect- 
ed town clerk of Laconia in 1875, 
and served two years. He was elect- 
ed treasurer of Belknap county in 
8 



1883, and reelected in 1885. He was 
in the New Hampshire legislature in 
1889, serving on the railroad commit- 
tee, and also the committee on na- 
tional affairs. He was Hected state 
senator from district No. 6, in 1894, 
for the term of two years, and in 1896 
was quartermaster-general on the staff 
of Governor C. A. Busiel. 

He is a thirty-second degree Ma- 
son, and a member of all the various 
branches of the order in this city, as 
well as the Scottish Rite at Concord, 
and the Consistory at Nashua. He 
attends the Unitarian church and is 
active in the management of this so- 
ciety and advancement of liberal reli- 
gion. 

Mr. Knight was married in 1872 
to Fannie E., daughter of James Tay- 
lor, ot Franklin, X. H. They have no 
children. 

Hamlin Huntress, of the firm of 
Knight & Huntress, is a native of 
Sandwich, New Hampshire, born Au- 
gust 19, i86i . He was educated in 
the town schools of Moulton borough, 




Hamlin Huntress. 



H4 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



and when he first embarked in business lican. He served as town clerk of 

conducted a general store at Moulton- Moultonborough from 1883 to 1890, 

borough for eight years. He came to was postmaster of the town for eight 

Laconia in 1893, and two years later years, and represented Moultonborough 




Court Hi 



he formed the partnership with William in the legislature of 1893. Mr. Hunt- 

F. Knight in the dry goods business. ress married Amy L. Rollins of Moul- 

Mr. Huntress is a member of Cho- tonborough, and they have one son, — 

corua lodge, No. 51. I. O. O. F.. at Ernest Hamlin Huntress. 




Belknap County Farm. 



Lakeport, and in religious affairs is a 
Methodist, being quite active and much 
interested in church work. 

Politically Mr. Huntress is a Repub- 



Edwin P. Thompson. 



William Thompson, great-grandfather 
of Edwin P. Thompson, clerk of the 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONJAN. 



••5 



supreme court for Belknap county, came 
to Gilmanton among the early settlers 
and located on a farm near the centre 
of the present town. He died in 1827, 
leaving a family of eight children, one 
of whom, William Thompson, was the 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch. 
He settled in Gilmanton, where he de- 
voted his life to fanning, at one time 
having the care and management of 
Captain Salter's farm in Barnstead. In 
1836 he purchased the farm adjoining 
the homestead 
where his boy- 
hood had been 
spent, where he 
lived until his 
death, Dec. 6. 
1855. He mar- 
ried, first, Ly- 
dia Sanborn of 
Gilford, a sister 
of the late Dea. 
Levi Sanborn 
of Laconia, by 
whom he had 
ten children, 
among them be- 
ing Albert G., 
at one time 
landlord of the 
Willard Hotel 
in Laconia, for 
about three 
years, and later 
steward of the 
Fifth A v enue 
Hotel in New 
York city, from 
its opening July 
15, 1859, to his death August 12, 1889. 
Another son was John S. Thompson, at 
one time connected with the Cerro Gor- 
do and the Willard hotels in Laconia, 
the Pemigewasset Hotel at Plymouth, the 
Proctor House at Andover, and the Phe- 
nix at Concord ; he was also a deputy un- 
der Sheriff Hanson Bedee from May 31, 
1862, to the end of the term, January, 
1866. Asa T., another son, was a mem- 
ber of Co. A, Twelfth regiment, X. II. 
Volunteers in the Civil War, and station- 
agent at Alton from the time of his 
return from the array in 1 86 ^ to the 




Edwin P. Thompson. 



spring of 1S72. Another son, William 
I!. Thompson, was the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who was born in Gil- 
manton. July 28, [852, his mother being 
Luezer J. Thompson. Edwin I'. was 
the eldest child and has one brother, 
Albert W. Thompson of Concord. 

He spent his early years on the farm 
in Gilmanton and attended the district 
schools near his home, and later Gil- 
manton academy. At the age of twenty, 
in September, 1S72, he commenced the 
study of la w 
with I lon.Thos. 
Cogswell of Gil- 
in a n ton. with 
whom he stud- 
ied three years, 
and in Novem- 
ber, 1875, came 
to Laconia and 
studied with E. 
P. Jewell until 
his admissio n 
to the Belknap 
Count y b a r , 
April 1 , 1876, 
when he imme- 
diately returned 
to Gilmanton 
Iron Works and 
commenced the 
practice of his 
profession in 
company w i t h 
Colonel Cogs- 
well, with whom 
he remained for 
a year and then 
practised alone 
until the fall of 1879, at which time he 
removed to Belmont where he has since 
claimed a legal residence. 

He has served as treasurer of the 
town, and in March. [884, lie was elect- 
ed moderator of Belmont and has since 
served the town in that capacity except 
when prevented by sickness, a part of 
the time being the choice of both par- 
ties. 

In January, 1SS5. he was appointed 
clerk of the supreme court for Belknap 
county, which office he still holds. 

Upon the organization of the City 



u6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Savings bank in Laconia, in the spring family of Somersworth, N. H. Imme- 

of 1897, he was elected one of the trus- diately after ending his school days he 

tees and has been re-elected since. He engaged in teaching suburban schools 

is also secretary of the Belknap County for four years, for which the trend of 

Bar association. In politics he is a his efforts was always in the direction 

Republican. of that to impart knowledge most likely 

December 9th, 1896, he married to be the most practical in future years. 

Minnie E. James, daughter of Orrin F. In this he was successful. He was a 



and Dora James of Campton. 
have no children. 



They 



Judge True W. Thompson. 



member of the board of education in 
his native town in 1868 and '69 for a 
term of two years. In March, 1872, he 
became a student at law in the office of 
Charles H. Smith at Newmarket, where 
he remained for 



The subject 
of this sketch, 
True William 
Thompson, was 
born in the 
town o f Dur- 
h a m , N e w 
Hampshire, on 
Aug. 15, 1841, 
in that part of 
the town known 
as "Loving- 
land." His 
parents were 
Jacob Burleigh 
and Ann Carr 
Stilson Thomp- 
son, natives 
and lif el o n g 
residents of 
that town. His 
parents are now 
deceased. Judge 
Thompson was 
reared on a 
farm. He was 
educated in the 
public schools 

of his native town and at Newmarket, possessed of a son and two daughters, 
N. H., closing his school days at the all of whom are married. He came to 
Cartland academy, Lee, N. H., under this city from Newmarket in May, 1882, 
the tutorship of that well-known, practi- having secured a situation as city editor 
cal educator, Moses A. Cartland. on the Belknap Daily Tocsin, the first 

Both on the paternal and maternal daily newspaper to be established in 
sides Judge Thompson's ancestry were Laconia. Since, from time to time, he 
Revolutionary stock, both of his great has been employed in every newspaper 
grandfathers serving side by side in the office in the city. During the past 
War of the Revolution at Bunker Hill, dozen years he has also acted as local 
His paternal ancestry were Scotch-Irish, correspondent for the Boston Globe, 
while those of his mother were English, and Manchester Union for several 
Her less remote ancestry were the Lord years. May n, 1897, he was ap- 




Judge True W. Thompson. 



nearly three 
and a half 
years. He nev- 
er made appli- 
cation to be ad- 
mitted to the 
bar, preferring 
to take journal- 
ism as a profes- 
sion, he having 
been engaged 
in that calling 
to some extent 
for about fifteen 
years previous, 
and for which 
he still retained 
a great liking. 
He is one of 
a family of two 
sons and a 
daughter ; the 
latter resides at 
Concord, N. H. 
Judge Thomp- 
son is not mar- 
ried, although 



TIIK ILLUSTRATED LACOMAN. 



117 



pointed associate justice of the Laconia 
police court by Governor Ramsdell. At 
the biennial election in [898, he was 
elected register of probate for Belknap 
county for a term of two years. In 
politics he is an ardent Republican, 
having held the position of president of 
the Republican club in Ward 4 since 
the city was incorporated in 1893. 

Judge Thompson is widely and favor- 
ably known as a newspaper man. Dur- 
ing all the years of his extensive literary 
work he has served the public with con- 
scientious fidel- 
ity. No jour- 
nalist ever had 
greater respect 
for private right 
than has Judge 
Thompson. He 
has never rude- 
ly tresp a s s e d 
upon p u r e 1 y 
personal mat- 
ters to gratify 
a depraved ap- 
petite for scan- 
dal or sensa- 
tion, always 
working alo n g 
a line of legit- 
imate journal- 
ism, incurring 
the respect and 
con fidence of 
the people. 
Not h i n g was 
ever contribut- 
ed by his pen 
to poison and Herman C 

i n fl a m e the 

public mind ; on the contrary his news- 
paper work has ever been clean and 
praiseworthy. Judge Thompson is lib- 
eral, fair-minded, companionable, and 
unselfish. His purpose as a man and 
as a judge is to do right. While his 
judgments are all tempered with mercy, 
no real offender can hope to escape. 




Herman C. Weymouth. 

Herman C. Weymouth, superintend- 
ent of the Belknap county farm and 



jailer of the county jail, is a native of 
that part of old Gilmanton which is 
now Belmont, and was born Feb. 9, 
1S46. He attended the district schools 
and also the academies at Gilmanton 
and New Hampton. When at the age 
of twenty years he engaged in the meat 
and provision business at boston, where 
he remained about three years and then 
returnedto Belmont. In 1S71 he married 
Miss Abbie L. Smith, youngest daughter 
of Mr. Daniel P. Smith of Meredith. 
His family consists of two daughters, 
Misses Maude 
and blanche 
We y m o uth of 
this city. When 
in Belmont Mr. 
Weymouth was 
inter ested in 
the Fre e-w i 1 1 
baptist church 
and worked 
hard for the 
support of mu- 
sic, which was 
highly appreci- 
ated. In 1880 
he removed to 
Meredith where 
he engaged in 
the s u m m e r 
boarding-house 
business. H e 
later en g a g ed 
with Prof. G. 
1 1, brown i n 
extensive farm- 
ing and s u 111 - 
mer boarding. 
In [885 he pur- 
chased a large place in Andover, N. H, 
where he carried on a prosperous 
dairy business in connection with a large 
boarding-house for summer guests. 

In 1896 he bought and built a resi- 
dence in Laconia, where he has since 
lived. In 1898 he was appointed super- 
intendent of the Belknap count}- farm. 
While residing in Belmont he was elect- 
ed superintendent of schools and also 
filled the offices of selectman and road 
agent in Andover. He is a member of 
the Knights of Honor, Aurora lodge, No. 



Weymouth. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



708, of this city, and was a prominent 
member of Highland Lake grange at 
East Andover. He has never aspired to 
political fame, but has rather preferred to 
attend to his own business which he 
believes to be more profitable. He has 
a large circle of friends in Belknap and 
Merrimack counties whom he has won 
by fair and honest dealing and attend- 
ing strictly to his own business. As 
superintendent of the Belknap farm he is 
not only well liked by the inmates of the 
establishment but is efficient and faith- 
ful as a public servant in the rather try- 
ing duties of this position. 




he left Laconia and went West, where he 
enlisted in the First Illinois Light Ar- 
tillery, Jan. 4, 1862. He was discharged 
in April, 1864, but re-enlisted March, 
1865, in A Co. of the Seventh Illi- 
nois Cavalry, and was mustered out 
Nov. 20, 1865, at Springfield, 111., and 
immediately took the train for Laconia, 
where his family had preceded him. He 
arrived here Nov. 23, and has been a 
resident of Laconia since that date. 
Mr. Baldwin was engaged in but two 
battles during his service in the army, 
but they were both engagements of con- 
siderable importance, Donaldson and 
Shiloh. He is a charter member of 
John L. Perley, Jr., Post, G. A. R., and 
also a charter member of Pontauhum 
Tribe, No. 18, Improved Order of Red 
Men. 

Mr. Baldwin married Mary E. Bent- 
ley, of Mt. Vernon, 111., and has three 
children, Charles G., Media B., and 
James S., the two former born in Mt. 
Vernon, and the latter first saw the light 
of day in Laconia. 

Mr. Baldwin has always been a strong 
Republican, and has been honored by 
his party by election as supervisor of 
check-lists under the old town govern- 
ment, chairman of supervisors for two 
years under the city government, select- 
man of Ward three for three years, and 
in 1898 was elected sheriff of Belknap 
county, which office he assumed April 1, 
1S99. 

Mr. Baldwin is not a member of any 
church, but believes with the Unitarians, 
in one God. 



Sheriff Charles W. Baldwin. 



Sheriff Charles W. Baldwin. 



Martin B. Plummer. 



Charles W. Baldwin, sheriff of Bel- 
knap county, and more familiarly known 
as " Warren " Baldwin, is a native of 
Hillsboro, born April 3, 183S. He came 
to Meredith Bridge, now Laconia, when 
a mere boy. and was educated in our 
public schools. Mr. Baldwin is a joiner 
by trade, and was for nearly thirty years 
employed by the Laconia Car company 
in this city. 

When less than seventeen years old 



Martin Bartlett Plummer, register of 
deeds for Belknap county since 1892, 
was born at Meredith on the nth day 
of October, 1844, and was educated in 
the public schools of that town. In 1863 
he came to Lakeport to learn the ma- 
chinist trade in the shops of B. J. Cole, 
and worked thereuntil April 14th, 1864, 
when he went to Concord and enlisted 
in Co. A, First New Hampshire cavalry 
for three vears. Mr. Plummer went to 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



E19 



the front with his regiment and first the Belknap County Fish and Game 

served under Gen. Wilson. The regiment League. 

went on the "Wilson raid," and was Mr. Plummer married Ellen L. Cook, 

then sent into the Shenandoah valley daughter of Danford Cook of Gilman- 

under Gen. Sheridan and served until ton Iron Works. Nov. 29, 1866. Four 

the close of the war. children have been born to Mr. and 

After being mustered out of the Mrs. Plummer, two of whom died while 

United States service, Mr. Plummer quite young; Mabel E. married Amber 

lived in Gilmanton Iron Works until the R. Connor, and is now clerk in the 



fall of 186S, when he removed to Mere- 
dith where he remained with the excep- 
tion of one year in Waterville until 1872, 
at which time he came to Laconia and 
has resided here since that date. 

Mr. Plummer 
was empl oy e d 
for some years 
at the shops of 
Gardner Cook 
& Son, also at 
the Laconia car 
shops and the 
shops of George 
W. Riley. In 
May, 1S92, he 
was appointed 
clerk of the La- 
conia police 
court, which 
office he holds 
at the present 
time. In the 
November elec- 
tion of 1892, 
Mr. PI u m m er 
was elected reg- 
ister of deeds 
for the county 
of Belknap and 
he has been re- 
elected to the 
same office by 

large majorities at every election since 
1892. Mr. Plummer is a Republican in 
politics. 

Mr. Plummer is a member of John L. 
Perley, Jr.. Post, G. A. R., having served 
as its commander, and also served in Judge Frank ML Beckford, one of the 

the department on the council of ad- best-known members of Laconia's legal 
ministration, and was in 1895 elected fraternity, is a native of Salem, New 
by the department a delegate to the Hampshire, born Oct. [3, 1851. He 
National Encampment which was held was educated at Tilton seminary and 
at Louisville, Kentucky. He is also a New Hampton Literary [nstitution, and 
member of the Pilgrim Fathers and before he engaged in the practice of the 



.Martin S. Plummer. 



register of deeds office of Belknap 
county, and Fred D. is a student in the 
Pernin Shorthand school in Boston, 
Mass. 

Belknap county has been remark- 
ably fortunate 
in having care- 
ful and popu- 
lar officials in 
the register of 
deeds office, and 
••Mart" Plum- 
mer is surely no 
exception to 
this rule. He 
receives m a n y 
votes from the 
opposition po- 
litical party and 
always leads all 
other candi- 
dates on his 
party ticket. 
Belknap county 
people are evi- 
dently satisfied 
to retain Mr. 
Plu m m er as 
their register of 
deeds and he 
can undoubted- 
ly hold the po- 
sition as long 
as he desires to retain it. 




Judge Frank M. Beckford, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



legal profession, was connected with 
various mercantile pursuits and the 
hotel business. He first entered the 
dry goods house of Brooks Bros., at 

Haverhill, Mass., where he remained 
six years, and then went to Boston, 
where he was head salesman in the 
large carpet house of Judkins & Muc- 
cullough, afterwards with the well-known 
firm of Jordan & Marsh. Later he went 
to the town 
of Bristol, 
New Hamp- 
shire, and 
engaged in 
the manufac- 
ture of wool- 
en goods. It 
was here that 
he began the 
study of law 
in the office 
of George A. 
Emerson, 
Esq. 

Judge Beck- 
ford came to 
Laconia in 
the year 
i S 8 4, a n d 
pur chased 
the Laconia 
hotel busi- 
ness, as it 
was then 
called. He 
changed the 
name of the 
house, Hotel 
Wonolancet , 
and conduct- 
ed the establishment successfully for a 
few years. 

He resumed the study of law in the of- 
fice of the late Col. Thomas J. Whipple, 
and after being admitted to practice, 
became the partner of this widely-known 
attorney, and upon Colonel Whipple's 
decease in 1SS9, Judge Beckford suc- 
ceeded to the large practice. 

Judge Beckford has always been an 
active Republican, and has generally 
been upon the stump during most of 




Judge Frank M. Beckford. 



the political campaigns since attaining 
his majority. 

He represented Laconia as a member 
of the last constitutional convention for 
the state of New Hampshire, was ap- 
pointed justice of the Laconia police 
court in 1892, and held the position 
until 1895, when he resigned; elected 
solicitor of Belknap county in 1896, and 
re-elected in the fall of 1S98, which 

office he now 
holds. 

Judge Beck- 
ford is prom- 
inent and 
takes gr e a t 
interest in 
the vari o u s 
fraternal so- 
cieties. He 
is a member 
of Mt. Bel- 
knap lodge, 
K n ights of 
Pythias of 
Laconia, and 
is also a 
m e m b er of 
the Supreme 
lodge, and 
holds the 
position of 
supreme rep- 
resenta t i v e 
for this state 
in that or- 
der ; he is a 
m e m ber of 
C h ocorua 
lodge, I. O. 
O. F., of La- 
conia, and Pontahaum Tribe of Red 
Men, being a member of the Great 
Council for New Hampshire, and is a 
member of Laconia Commandery, U. O. 
G. C, Laconia grange, Patrons of Hus- 
bandry, and a member of the State and 
National Grange. He is also an active 
member of the military branch in the 
Knights of Pythias, and to his efforts 
is largely due the fact that New Hamp- 
shire has a brigade formation of the 
Uniform Rank. He holds the position 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



of assistant judge advocate-general upon 
General Hoyt's staff ; also an active 
member of the Laconia Board of Trade, 
and is interested in nearly all the local 
enterprises of a public nature. 

Judge Beckford's law practice is a 
large and lucrative one, he being an 
able pleader, and one of our most suc- 
cessful lawyers. 

Judge Beckford is married and has 
one son, Dr. Henry S. Beckford. 



Mark M. Robinson. 



Mark M. Robinson, of the well-known 
furniture es- 
tablishment of 
Knight & Rob- 
inson, and the 
treasurer of 
Belknap county 
since 1892, was 
born in Mere- 
dith, N. H., on 
August 2 2d, 
1853. He was 
educated in the 
public schools 
and at Til ton 
seminary. In 
his early man- 
hood, Mr. Rob- 
inson learned 
the jeweler's 
trade with the 
old firm of S. E. 
Young & Co., 
and he after- 
waids car r i e d 
on the jewelry 
business for 
himself, for a 
period of about 
eight years, both at Lakeport and Laco- 
nia. 

About twelve years ago, Mr. Robin- 
son bought out the interest of the late 
Franklin Mansur in the furniture estab- 
lishment then conducted under the firm 
name of Mansur lS: Knight, one of the old- 
est furniture concerns in this section of 
New Hampshire. He formed a part- 
nership with Mr. William F. Knight, 




Mark M. 



under the style of Knight & Robinson, 
which partnership still continues. Car- 
petings and upholstery departments 
have been added to the business in re- 
cent years, and the firm carry one of 
the largest stocks to be found in their 
line in this vicinity, and have always 
enjoyed a most successful and pros- 
perous business. 

Mr. Robinson was married May [3, 
1880, to Charlotte L. Moore. They 
have no children. 

He is a member of the Odd Fellows, 
Masons, and Royal Arcanum, having 
held numerous offices in all of these 
orders, being a 
Past Master of 
Mt. Lebanon 
lodge, No. 32, 

IF. & A. M.. 
tk a Past High 

Priest of Union 
chapter. No. 7, 
F, R. A. M., and 

T. I. Master of 
Pyt h ago re an 
council, No. 6, 
R. & S. M. 

In politics, 
Mr. Robi n son 
is a Republi- 
can. He was 
elected t r e .1 s - 
urer of Belknap 
countv in the 
year 1S92. and 
has been re- 
elected to the 
same office at 
every subse- 
quent election 

Robinson. since that cbte - 



County Commissioner J, F. Smith. 

Although a legal resident of the 
neighboring village of Meredith Centre, 
County Commissioner Joseph F. Smith 
is one of our Belknap county officials 
who makes his business headquarters 
in this city, and lie has been a familiar 
figure on our streets for several years 
past, and will continue to be, since he 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



is again chairman of the board of com- 
missioners for 1899 and 1900. 

Joseph Frank Smith, the youngest 
son of Daniel P. and Abigail (Dolloff) 
Smith, was born on the same spot where 
his residence now stands, in the year 
1848, Sept. 12. He was the ninth in a 
family of ten children, five of whom are 
now living, one dying in infancy, and 
one brother, Oilman Smith, was killed 
in the battle of Chancellorsville. The 
father, Daniel P. Smith, is still living, 
at the age of ninety years, and is 
remarkably well 
preserved, and 
appears to en- 
joy life. 

Joseph F . 
Smith left home 
at the age of 
sixteen years, 
and attended 
school at New 
Hampton, and 
in 1867 went 
to work at the 
New Hamp- 
shire Insane 
Asylum, under 
the late Jesse 
P. Bancroft, to 
w h o m he is 
indebted for a 
great deal o f 
good advice. In 
1872, Mr. Smith 
went to Nash- 
ua, and was em- 
ployed as a 
clerk in a store. 
The folio wi n g 
year he entered the employ of Bridge- 
man & Co., 48 Bedford street, Boston, 
dealers in woolen goods, and in a few 
weeks was sent out on the road by the 
firm to solicit orders. He remained 
with this firm one year, and then con- 
nected himself with the Franklin Woolen 
Co., of Franklin Falls, N. H., with head- 
quarters in Boston, continuing with this 
concern until April, 1S93. During the 
time he was connected with the Franklin 
Woolen Co., he had full control of the 
selling end of their business, and per- 




Joseph F. Smith. 



sonally sold nearly all their goods in 
the New England states. 

He was married in 1881 to C. Isabel 
Robinson, youngest daughter of Thomas 
J. and Eliza (Glidden) Robinson of 
Laconia. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 
been the parents of eight children : 
Rachel Gertrude, Daniel Thomas (who 
died in infancy), Joseph Frank, Jr., 
Mary Eriline, Barbara Eloise, Robinson 
Wayland, Frederick, and Maurice Pres- 
ton. 

In politics, Mr. Smith is a strong 
Re p u b 1 i c a n , 
and he has re- 
ceived numer- 
ous political 
honors. He 
represented the 
town of Mere- 
dith in the legis- 
lature in 1889, 
was selectman 
of Meredith 
in 1 S 9 3 and 
1894, was elect- 
ed a commis- 
sioner of Bel- 
knap county in 
November, 
1894, was re- 
elected in 1896. 
and elected for 
the third time 
in 1 8 9 S . He 
has served as 
chairman of the 
board since 
1896, and is 
chairman of the 
present board. 
In secret societies, Mr. Smith is a 
member of Chocorua lodge of Masons 
at Meredith and Union chapter of 
Laconia. He is also a Knight of Pyth- 
ias, and a member of the Odd Fellows 
fraternity. He is a member of Winni- 
pesaukee grange at Meredith and of 
Belknap County Pomona grange. 

Mr. Smith resides on the Smith farm 
on the shores of Wickwas lake, one of 
the most beautiful of the small lakes of 
New Hampshire. 

As a public official, Mr. Smith has 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



123 



evidently given satisfaction to the peo- 
ple of Belknap county, as is indicated 
by his re-election for a third term, an 
honor which has been rarely if ever be- 
stowed upon any candidate. He is a 
strong man in all business affairs and 
an officer of unusual executive ability. 



Commissioner Oscar Foss. 



County Commissioner Oscar Foss, of 
Barnstead, one of the most wide-awake 
and prosperous business men of Bel- 
knap county, 
was born in 
Barnstead, N. 
H., Nov. 17, 
1845, an d was 
a son of Eli H. 
and Mary A. 
(Furber) Foss. 

Eli H. Foss, 
who was born 
in Barnstead, 
July 16, 18 19, 
married, in 
1S43, Mary A. 
Furber, of Al- 
ton, N. H. She 
was the daugh- 
ter of Edmond 
Furber, a well- 
known farmer 
and bu sin ess 
m an, a n d a 
leader in church 
work, and w ho 
lived to be nine- 
ty-five years old. 
She died in 
1888, at the age 

of seventy. Eli H. Foss, now living in 
Barnstead, learned the blacksmith trade 
of Asa Garland, of North Barnstead, and 
followed that business most of the time 
for fifty years. 

Oscar Foss was the only son and the 
oldest of four children. He received 
his education in the common schools of 
Barnstead and at Pittstield academy. 
He attended the latter institution in the 
winter season, spending the remainder 
of the year in his father's blacksmith 
shop, learning the trade. 




Oscar Foss 



< >n Nov, 5, 187 1, Mr. Foss was joined 
in marriage with Miss Sarah U. Young, 
a daughter of Oliver H. P. and Emily J. 
(Tuttle) Young. Mr. Young was a car- 
penter by trade, and was born on Beauty 
hill. He afterwards moved to Centre 
Barnstead. He enlisted in the 12th 
N. H. regiment, and served three years 
in the Civil War. 

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Foss 
purchased a half interest in a water- 
power sawmill at Centre Barnstead, 
N. H., in company with Nathaniel 
Blaisdell. At 
the end of one 
year his partner 
died, and Mr. 
Foss bought the 
other half, and 
has since car- 
ried on the bus- 
iness alone, re- 
c e i v i n g the 
greater part of 
the trade from 
the locality. 
Not con fining 
his attention to 
this particular 
mill, ho we ve r , 
he has been 
quite extensive- 
ly engaged in 
buying lots and 
putting in tem- 
porary mills. 
and pre pa r i n g 
the lumber for 
the market and 
shipping it to 
different large 
cities. His first trial in this direction 
was the purchase of a timber lot in 
North wood. Since then the business 
has greatly increased. 

In 1895, '96, '97, '98 he had live mills 
in operation most of the time. He 
handles large amounts of cord wood, 
bark, pulp wood, and lumber. When he 
stalled in the mill business he was 
obliged to go into debt for the most of 
his contracts and real estate purchases. 
At the time the barnstead shoe factory 
was built, he was one of the leading 



124 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



promoters of the enterprise, and he is 
now the owner of the plant. When the 
question of bringing new business into 
town arises, he is the one chosen to 
confer with and to influence desirable 
parties to locate here. He was one of 
the prime movers in getting the railroad 
and telephone. As an individual he 
has done much for the welfare of the 
town. He has never forgotten his strug- 
gle for prosperity, and is ever ready to 
assist any ambitious young man who is 
deserving of help. 

Mr. Foss has 
from the first 
been a staunch 
Re publican, 
and a very ac- 
tive worker for 
the princi pies 
of his party. 
When he be- 
came a voter 
the vote of the 
town was three 
to one Demo- 
cratic, and for 
the first time, 
in 1S96, the Re- 
publicans had a 
majority. Mr. 
Foss has been 
town treasurer, 
and in 1 S 9 6 
was elected su- 
pervisor, and in 
1898 was elect- 
ed one of the 
county commis- 
sioners of Bel- 
knap county, 
having the largest vote of the board. As 
a justice of the peace, he writes deeds 
and mortgages and does other legal 
duties. 




Jonathan C. Shannon 



Commissioner Jonathan C. Shannon. 



Jonathan Coffin Shannon, the Demo- 
cratic member of the Board of Belknap 
County Commissioners, and the only 
Democratic official who now holds office 
in this county, was born in Barn stead, 



N. H., Nov. 29, 1842, the son of Stephen 
and Ann P. (Chase) Shannon. He re- 
moved to Gilmanton with his parents 
when five years old, and was educated 
in the public schools of Gilmanton and 
at Gilmanton academy. When nine- 
teen years of age, Mr. Shannon came 
to Laconia and entered the employ of 
Folsom & Smith, general merchants. 
He went into business for himself in 
1865 in the grocery trade, and con- 
tinued under various partnerships until 
about 1S94. For the past few years 
Mr. Sh annon 
has devoted 
himself to the 
auctione e r i n g 
business, with 
excellent suc- 
cess, and has 
won a wide rep- 
utation for his 
efficiency in this 
line. He also 
conducts a sec- 
ond-hand furni- 
ture store and 
auction rooms, 
being located in 
Masonic T e m - 
pie at the pres- 
ent time. 

Polit i c a 1 1 y , 
Mr. Shannon is 
a Democrat, 
and he was 
elected overseer 
of the poor for 
seven years. In 
1890 he was 
elected to the 
board of county commissioners, and 
served one term, being reelected in 1898, 
at which time he was the only success 
ful candidate on his party ticket. 

He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, including Pilgrim commandery, 
Knights Templar, and is also a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. He is a member of the Congre- 
gational church. He was married Jan. 
28, 1866, to Miss Ella A. Jewett of Gil- 
ford, daughter of Samuel S. and Edith A. 
Jewett. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



I2 5 



As a county official, Mr. Shannon 
has always been popular with all classes 
of people, and at the same time he has 
been a faithful and conscientious pub- 
lic servant, always acting as seemed in 
his judgment to be for the best inter- 
ests of the taxpayers and community. 



Dr. Henry C Wells. 



One of the most public-spirited and 
busiest of Laconia's medical profession 
is Dr. Henry C. Wells, a native of 
Bristol, N. H., 
born Feb. 2 4 , 
1856. Dr. Wells 
obtained his 

preparatory ed- *_^ 

ucation in the "V""* 

public schools, 
and then at- 
tended New 
Hampton Lit- 
erary Inst it u- 
tion,Tilton sem- 
inary, and Kim- 
b a 1 1 Union 
Academy at .$S 

Meriden, N. H., 
graduating from 
M e r i d e n in 
j S74. He read 
medicine with 
Dr. J. M. Bish- 
op of Bristol , 
and graduated 
M. D. at St. 
Louis Hahne- 
mann Medical 
College, of St. 
Louis, Mo., in 
1876. He came to Laconia in 1879, 
and has been here ever since, enjoying 
a large practice not only in Laconia but 
in nearly all the surrounding territory. 
He is a Republican in politics, and was 
elected county physician for Belknap 
county in 1890, and has held the posi- 
tion with the exception of one term 
since that time. He was city physician 
in 1896 and again in 1898. In secret 
orders Dr. Wells is an ( >dd fellow and 
a Red Man, a member of the Patri- 
archs Militant in connection with his 



Odd Fellowship, and also a member of 
Ridgely Association, of Worcester, 
Mass., 'and X. E. ( >. P. 

During his twenty years' residence in 
Laconia, Dr. Wells has won a reputa- 
tion as a skilful physician and surgeon, 
and has made a special study of chil- 
dren's cases, which has brought him 
much practice in this line. 

He is an active worker in the Repub- 
lican ranks, taking great interest in all 
political events, both local and national. 
He is also interested in all movements 
of a public na- 
ture f o r the 
growth and de- 
velopment of 
Laconia, and 
generally rinds 
time from his 
professional du- 
ties to lend a 
helping hand in 
any enterprise 
of this nature in 
which he is in- 
terested. 




Laconia 
Electric Light- 
ing; Co. 



Dr. Henry C. Wells. 



Laconia has 
always kept 
pace with the 
outside world in 
the sp e e d v 
adoption of all 
the modem in- 
ven tions and 
conven iences 
which have been introduced with such 
rapidity during the past fifty years, 
including the telegraph, telephone, elec- 
tric cars, gas, and electric lights. The 
Laconia Electric Lighting Company 
established the first central electric 
lighting station in the state of New 
Hampshire. This company was or| 
ized December 26, 1884, with Dennis 
O'Shea as president and treasurer; 
Frank H. Champlin, clerk and general 
manager. The capital stock at that 
time was but 84,000, and the central 



126 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



station was in the basement of the brick 
Belknap mill. The electric lights were 
introduced in this city both for public 
street lighting and for commercial light- 
ing, and proved popular from the very 
start. The central station remained in 
the Belknap mills until October, 1889, 
when the business increased so as to 
outgrow the accommodations, and the 
plant was removed to the lumber works 
of Gardner Cook & Son, where it was 
operated until January, 1893, at which 
time the dynamos and other machinery 
were removed to the new power station, 
fitted up by the corporation at Lakeport. 
The power station at Lakeport is one of 
the best arranged and most convenient 
for the electric lighting business to be 
found in New Hampshire. The power 




■ Hill 1 1 1 r l 

II * « | 

Laconia Electric Lighting Station. 



is obtained by powerful water-wheels 
which are located at the outlet of Lake 
Winnipesaukee, and which furnishes the 
most reliable motive power possible to 
be obtained anywhere. The increase of 
business has, of course, made it neces- 
sary to invest in new machinery from 
time to time, and the corporation has 
always responded promptly to all de- 
mands for increased service. They now 
furnish nearly one hundred arc street 
lights of 2,000 candle-power for light- 
ing the streets of the city of Laconia, 
besides many commercial arc lights, 
and a large number of incandescent 
lights for the illumination of stores, pub- 
lic buildings, and private residences. 



The corporation has always made a point 
of furnishing lights of standard quality 
and it can be truthfully stated that no 
city in New England has better electric 
lights than the city on the lakes. 

The corporation has increased its cap- 
ital stock from time to time, until from 
the small beginning with only $4,000 
capital, it now has a capital of $45,000. 

The present officers of the concern 
are : Directors, Dennis O'Shea, [ohn 
F. Merrill, Jefferson Gilbert, Frank P. 
Holt, Addison G. Cook, Gardner Cook, 
and Albert G. Folsom; president, Den- 
nis O'Shea ; clerk and treasurer, Charles 
W. Tyler ; general manager, John F. 
Merrill. The office of the corporation 
is at No. 523 Main street. 



Albert G. Folsom. 



For the past fifty years, no citizen 
of Laconia has been more prominent 
in financial, real estate, and business 
enterprises of all kinds than Albert 
Gallatin Folsom, who has been presi- 
dent of the Laconia Savings bank for 
over a quarter of a century, and pres- 
ident of the People's National bank 
since its incorporation in May, 18S9, 
and who is, also, the oldest Odd Fel- 
low in Laconia. Mr. Folsom was born 
in Laconia, Oct. 12, 18 16, son of Jon- 
athan and Sarah (Rowe) Folsom, and 
he comes of an old New Hampshire 
family. His father was a native of 
Dover, N. H., and a carpenter by 
trade, but he was one of the early set- 
tlers in Meredith Bridge, and opened a 
way-side tavern here on Pleasant street 
as early as 1813, which he conducted 
succesfully for a number of years. This 
house is now known as the Atkinson 
residence. He owned the land on 
Main and Pleasant streets above the 
present railroad tracks, and was a 
prominent and popular citizen. He 
represented the town in the legislature 
in 1832. He died, in his ninety-fourth 
year, in 1872. He and his wife, who 
was a native of Gilford, were the pa- 
rents of eleven children, of whom the 
subject of this sketch is the only sur 
vivor. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



127 



Albert G. Folsom was born in the associated with Mr. Smith in erecting 

Pleasant street home, and was edu- the Smith block on the opposite side of 

cated in the common schools of this the street. lie opened the Folsom 

town. He was not robust as a boy, opera house in 1862, and was one of 

and was unable to attend school regu- the organizers and prime movers of the 

larly, and when about eleven years old Laconia street railway corporation. He 



his parents sent him to Portsmouth to 
enter a store kept by an older brother, 
in the hope that the change would bene- 
fit his health. Commercial life aroused 
his ambitions and improved his health, 
and his brother eventuallv went West, 
leaving h i m 
in charge of 
the store. In 
1836 he re- 
turned to 
Laconia, and 
entered the 
store on Mill 
street, kept 
by J a m e s 
Moline a ux , 
which he pur- 
chased about 
three years 
later. He 
af te r w aids 
took in Geo. 
F. Bosher as 
a partner, 
and this part- 
nership con- 
tinued until 
i860. In 
1857 he pur- 
chased and 
moved into 
the Gove 
block on 
Main street, 
and subse- 




A I In it G. Folsom. 



has been identified with the Laconia 
Savings bank nearly sixty years, being 
a member of the board of trustees 
about 1 84 1. 

Mr. Folsom has been twice married. 
His first wife was ( (live 1!. Robinson of 

Gilford, and 
of four chil- 
d r e n o n 1 y 
one now sur- 
vives, Mrs. 
S a m uel I!. 
Smith. His 
second wife 
was Miss Im- 
ogen e F . 
Harris of 
Franc n i a , 
and the y 
have one 
daughter, 
Miss Alber- 
ta. In secret 
societies, 
Mr. Folsom 
has been 
quite promi- 
nent, lie is 
a thirty-sec- 
ond degree 
Mason, a 
m e m b e r of 
Pilgrim com- 
mandery of 
Knights 
T e m p 1 a r , 



quently had a clothing store at Cerro and Edward A. Raymond Consistory, 



Gordo place. In 186 1 ex-Mayor S. 1!. 
Smith became his partner, and eight 
years later Mr. Folsom sold out his in- 
terest in the business and retired from 
mercantile life. 



the latter at Nashua. He has filled al 
the chairs in W'innipiseogee lodge of 
Odd Fellows, and is a member of the 
Laconia encampment. 

Although in poor health until he was 



Mr. Folsom has a well-earned repu- about twenty years old, Mr. Folsom 
tation as a sagacious and prudent busi- now enjoys excellent health for a man 
ness man, and a wise financier. He of his years, appearing much younger 
has been identified with many of Laco- than he actually is, and attending 
nia's more important enterprises. He personally to his large busness inter- 
built Folsom block in 1861, and was ests. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The Crane Manufacturing: Co. 



The Crane Manufacturing Co., of 
Lakeport, is known in every city and 
town in the United States where hosiery, 
underwear, and web goods are manu- 
factured, and the numerous knitting ma- 
chines furnished by this concern have 
aided materially in developing and pro- 
moting the knit-goods industry in this 
country. The production of nearly every 
one of the most familiar articles of 
everyday use involves the assistance of 
mechanical contrivances of which the 
grandparents of the present generation 



mensions are 36 by 80 feet, with two 
wings, one 22 feet by 26 feet, the other 
18 feet by 20 feet, of two stories each, 
with cemented basement, and operated 
by a steam engine built by Payne of 
Elmira, N. Y. Everything that skill and 
attention to detail can devise is to be 
found in this machine shop, which has 
a Thomson-Houston electric plant, from 
which all the departments are lighted, 
the capacity being one hundred incan- 
descent lights. 

The concern manufactures circular 
spring-needle knitting machines for 
underwear, jersey cloth, rubber linings, 




The Crane Manufacturing Company. 



were entirely ignorant, and the manu- 
facture of stockinet, eiderdown, jersey 
cloth, shirts, drawers, or hosiery, affords 
a good illustration of this fact. 

The Crane Manufacturing Co. was in- 
corporated in 1890, but was originally 
established in 1870, as J. S. Crane &: 
Co., and the concern has won a wide- 
spread reputation in knit-goods circles 
for furnishing such machines and im- 
provements as would most readily ac- 
complish the desired object in the man- 
ufacture of the goods mentioned. 

The commodious and well-arranged 
factory of the Crane Manufacturing Co. 
consists of a main building: whose di- 



stockinets, etc., also circular spring 
needle knitting machines for hosiery, 
latest improved stockinet feeds, of the 
W. & J. H. Osborne patents, which are 
owned by the Crane Co., also remova- 
ble hardened-blade burr wheels, with 
self-oiling brackets. The Crane ma- 
chines are constructed of any gauge 
and diameter desired, fitted and put to 
work in their shops before they are 
delivered to customers. 

To those interested who may be unac- 
quainted with the firm it might be said, 
that the Crane Manufacturing Co.'s 
business is conducted upon the broad- 
est basis of fairness and good faith. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



1 29 




John S. Crane. 

Mr. John S. Crane, the head of the 
concern, is one of the pioneer man- 
ufacturers of knitting machinery, 
having devoted over thirty-five years 
to manufacturing and perfecting this 
class of machinery, and his experi- 
ence is certainly worthy of consider- 
ation by manufacturers of knit goods 
and valuable to the establishment. 
The officers of the company are : 
President, John S. Crane ; secretary 
and treasurer, M. L. Crane. 

John Summerfield Crane, the foun- 
der and president of the Crane Man- 
ufacturing Co., was born in Spring- 
field, Mass., Feb. 3, 1S34. son of Lu- 
ther and Rebecca (Manter) Crane. 
Mr. Crane is a direct descendant of 
Governor Bradford of the Massachu- 
setts colony. He received a common 
school education, and attended the 
Berwick academy, in Maine. As a 
young man he possessed a craving 
for a life at sea, and after leaving 
school he shipped on a clipper bound 
for India. The voyage lasted twen- 
ty-two months, and gave young Crane 

9 



a trip around the world and at the 
same time cured him of any further 
desires in this direction. For a year 
he was busy learning the machinist's 
trade at Salmon Falls, and then re- 
moved to Lawrence and afterwards 
to Lowell, where he had charge of a 
sewing-machine factory. 

Subsequently he resided in Man- 
chester for a time, and then went 
West in search of a promising busi- 
ness opening, but returned and finally 
located in Lakeport in 1857, where he 
was employed by Thomas Appleton 
in the hosiery business. In 1862 lie 
formed a partnership with William 
Pepper to build knitting machines. In 
1864 he became superintendent of the 
Winnipesaukee Hosiery Co., in which 
he was part owner, and in 1865, hav- 
ing bought out his partners he sold 
this business to R. M. Bailey. In [879 
he was connected with the late Walter 
Aiken of Franklin in the proprietor- 
ship of the Gilmore revolving diamond 
stone dressing machine. In 1^7- Mr. 
Crane engaged in the manufacture of 




Mnzellah L. Crane. 



i3° 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



circular knitting machines, the firm be- 
ing Crane & Peaslee. The following 
year he patented a machine for making 
shirts and underwear, and this industry 
was added to the business. In 1878 the 
firm became J. S. Crane & Company, 
and in 1890 the Crane Manufacturing 
Co. of to-day was incorporated. 

Mr. Crane represented Laconia in 
the New Hampshire legislature in 1875, 
and Gilford in the legislature of 1878. 
He was one of the incorporators of the 
Lake Village Savings bank, is vice- 



tution. after which he entered the 
machine shops of his father and ac- 
quired a thorough knowledge of the 
machinist's trade and a familiarity with 
the business by labor in the various de- 
partments. In 1885 he became asso- 
ciated in the business of manufacturing 
knitting machines with his father, under 
the firm name of Crane Manufacturing 
Co. Both John S. Crane and Mazellah 
L. Crane are men of recognized com- 
mercial ability, who have built up a 
large industry and are upon a sound 







m&£>***g&0 M j'W 





Residence of J. S. Crane. 



president and a director in the Lake- 
port National bank. In politics he is a 
Republican. He is a thirty-second 
degree Mason. Mr. Crane married in 
1856, Clara J. Smith of Nashua. He 
has one son, Mazellah L. Crane, who is 
associated with him in business. 

Mazellah L. Crane, secretary and 
treasurer of the Crane Manufacturing 
Co., was born in Lakeport, April 27, 
1858, son of John S. and Clara (Smith) 
Crane, the only child of his parents. 
He attended the public schools of Lake- 
port and New Hampton Literary Insti- 



and successful financial basis. On Feb- 
ruary 5, 1S96, Mr. Crane was united in 
marriage with Fannie E. Taylor of La- 
conia. There are two daughters by a 
previous marriage. Mr. Crane is a mem- 
ber of PIndicott Rock lodge, No. 20, 
Knights of Pythias, of Lakeport. 



The Melcher & Prescott Insurance 
Agency. 



The Melcher & Prescott Insurance 
Agency of Laconia, with offices at 
Smith block, rooms 6 and 7, Main 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



'3i 



street, and Morgan block, 766 Union 
avenue, is one of the largest and oldest 
established insurance agencies in this 
section of New Hampshire. This 
agency was founded in 1S62 by Hon. 
Woodbury L. Melcher, who at that time 
represented the Phoenix Fire Insurance 
company of Hartford, Conn. The in- 
surance business rapidly increased, and 
in 1SS6 Mr. True E. Prescott was taken 
into the concern as a partner, since 
which time it has been known as the 
Melcher & Prescott Agency. In 189 1 
Mr. Melcher's private business inter- 



following list of well-known insurance 
companies : 

Aachen & Munich Fire Ins. Co. of Germany. 
.l.tna Ins. Co. of Hartford, Conn. 
Agricultural Ins. Co. of Watertown, X. V. 
Commercial Union Assurance Co. of London, 

England. 

Continental Insurance Co. of New York. 

Insurance Co. of North America of Philadel- 
phia. 

Lancashire Insurance Co. of Manchester, Eng- 
land. 

Magdeburg Fire Insurance Co. of Germany. 

National Fire Ins. Co. of Hartford, Conn.' 

Niagara Fire Ins. Co. of New York. 

Palatine Ins. Co. of Manchester. England. 

Phcenix Assurance Co. of London, England. 




Residence of M. L. Crane. 



ests became so great that it was neces- 
sary for him to be away most of the 
time, and consequently the entire busi- 
ness and management of the insurance 
agency was turned over to Mr. Prescott 
who has since conducted the affairs of 
the concern. This agency does not mix 
any other line of business with insur- 
ance, but devotes entire attention to 
this branch alone. 

From the one insurance company 
with which Mr. Melcher started in 1862 
the agency has gradually and carefully 
increased its facilities until the Melcher 
& Prescott Agency now represents the 



Phoenix Ins. c<>. of Hartford, Conn. 

Phenix Insurance Co. of Brooklyn, X. V. 

Queen Insurance Co. of New York. 

Springfield Fire & Marine Ins. Co. of Spring- 
field, Mass. 

Williamsburg City Fire Ins. Co. of New York. 

Boston Insurance Co. of Boston, Mass. 

Greenwich Ins. Co. of New \" < m k . 

Traders and Mechanics of Powell, Mass. 

Merchants' and Fanners' Ins. Co. of Worcester, 
Mass. 

Concord Mutual Insurance of Concord, V II. 

Manufacturers' and Merchants' Mutual Ins. Co. 
of Concord, N. II. 

Capital Fire Insurance Co. of Concord. N. II. 

Fire Underwriters' Association of Concord, 
X. II. 

( rranite State Fire Insurance < )o. of Poi tsmouth, 
N. II. 



132 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



New Hampshire Fire Ins. Co. of Manchester, 

N. H. 
Lloyd's Plate Glass Ins. Co. of New York. 
Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Baltimore, Md. 
Maryland Casualty Co. of Baltimore, Md. 
Employers' Liability Assurance Corporation of 

London, England. 
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of 

Milwaukee, Wis. 

This long list of strong companies 
enables the agency to place $200,000 or 
more insurance on any one risk, facili- 
ties which are unsurpassed by any other 
agency in New Hampshire. Their 



vative methods of the Northwestern 
Mutual have won the admiration of 
everyone seeking this line of insurance, 
and has enabled the Melcher & Prescott 
Agency to establish a very good busi- 
ness in this line. 

The accident and liability depart- 
ment, which was hardly known a few 
years ago, is now one of the leading 
features of this agency, which represents 
the Employers' Liability Assurance 
company of London, and the Maryland 
Casualty Co. of Baltimore, Md., which 




Melcher & Prescott's Insurance Office. 



business is not confined to Laconia and 
vicinity, as their arrangements with 
their companies allow them the entire 
state, and their largest lines of insur- 
ance are carried outside of Belknap 
county. 

The business of the Melcher & Pres- 
cott Agency is divided into five depart- 
ments, viz. : Fire, life, accident and 
liability, plate glass, fidelity and bond. 

In the life insurance department, the 
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance 
company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is 
the company represented. The conser- 



issued policies for employers, public 
landlords, elevator, horse, and vehicle 
liability, and individual accident. The 
agency has paid many losses, and re- 
lieved some of our citizens from law- 
suits which they would have had forced 
upon them if it had not been for this 
line of insurance. 

In the plate glass insurance depart- 
ment the Melcher & Prescott Agency 
represents the Lloyd's Plate Glass In- 
surance company of New York, the old- 
est institution in America doing this line 
of insurance. This company has ad- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



L33 



justed every loss sustained since its or- 
ganization, without a single lawsuit. 

In the fidelity insurance line this 
agency represents the Fidelity and De- 
posit Co. of Baltimore, Md., and this 
branch of their business includes the fur- 
nishing of bonds for salesmen, agents, 
secretaries, treasurers, officers of bene- 
ficial and building and loan associations, 
appointees and employees of the United 
States government, contractors for 
building or other operations, clerks of 
courts, sheriffs, cashiers, administrators, 
guardians, in 
fact every posi- 
tion of trust. 

The Melcher 
& P r e s c o 1 1 
agency repre- 
sents besides 
their other fire 
insurance com- 
panies many of 
the leading mu- 
tual fire insur- 
ance concerns, 
thus giving 
their patrons 
who are partial 
to this kind of 
insurance an 
opportunity to 
select from the 
best, which is a 
very important 
consider at i o n 
in a mutual in- 
surance com- 
pany. 

The Melcher 
& Prescott 

agency is not only one of the oldest in- 
surance agencies in this part of the state, 
but it has a well-deserved reputation for 
settling losses, which reflects unlimited 
credit upon its management. During 
all its years of business the agency has 
never been known to falter ; not a sin- 
gle loss has ever occurred but the com- 
pany insuring has been able to pay one 
hundred cents on the dollar. No 
agency can have a better record for fair 
and honorable dealing than the Mel- 
cher & Prescott concern. 



Col. S. S. Jewett. 







Col. Stephen S. Jewett, of the law 
firm of Jewett & Plummer, has not only 
won a reputation throughout New 
Hampshire as a successful lawyer but 
probably no man of his age is better 
or more widely known in Republican 
political circles. He is the son of John 
G. and Carrie E. (Shannon) Jewett, 
born in that part of Gilford which is 
now included in the city of Laconia, 
September i8 5 1858. He comes of 
English stock, 
and his great- 
gra ndfather, 
Samuel Jewett, 
who was one of 
the Revolution- 
ary patriots at 
Bunker Hill, 
resided fur 
some time in 
Hollis, N. H., 
whence he re- 
moved to Laco- 
nia, he and his 
brother being 
practically the 
first settlers of 
this place. 

Stephen Shan- 
non Jewett ac- 
quired his early 
education in the 
public school s 
of Laconia and 
under p r i vat e 
tuition by his 
father, who was 
for some years 
a schoolmaster. At the age of seventeen 
years, Mr. Jewett entered the law office 
of Hon. Charles F. Stone and was pre- 
pared for examination to practice law in 
1S79. but being under age was com- 
pelled to wait a year. I [e was admitted 
to practice in March, 1880. and at once 
commenced to practice his profession in 
Laconia. conducting an independent 
business until L889, when Lawyer Wil- 
liam A. Plummer became his partner. 
During his twenty years of legal prac- 
tice, but few important cases have ap- 




True E. Prescott. 



J 34 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



peared on the Belknap court docket 
without his name in connection, either 
for plaintiff or defendant. In 1884, he 
accepted the position of clerk of the 
supreme court for Belknap county, as 
an accommodation for the convenience 
of the court, and served for a short 
time. He drafted and secured the 
passage of Laconia's city charter, was 



Mr. Jewett has a wide reputation as 
a successful manager and leader in po- 
litical campaigns. He first actively en- 
gaged in politics in 1876, when a youth 
of seventeen, and was soon recognized 
as a leader in political matters. He 
conducted the affairs of the Republican 
town committee from 1880 to 1890, and 
becoming a member of the Republican 




Col. Stephen S. Jewett. 



the first city solicitor and has held the 
position ever since. 

Colonel Jewett is actively interested 
in numerous local enterprises outside of 
his professional duties. He is a direc- 
tor in the Laconia National bank, in the 
Laconia Building and Loan Association, 
in the Laconia Land and Improvement 
company, the Standard Electric Time 
company, the Masonic Temple associa- 
tion, etc. 



state committee in 1884 was elected 
secretary of that body in 1890. His 
capacity has been tried in several hard- 
fought campaigns, and he served as 
chairman and manager of the Republi- 
can canvass in 1892 and 1894, winning 
signal victories in both instances. 

In the New Hampshire house of rep- 
resentatives he has served as clerk, as- 
sistant clerk, and engrossing clerk. In 
1894 he was elected as a representative 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



*35 



from Ward 2, and served as speaker of 
the house, in which capacity his long 
public service in political matters and 
extensive acquaintance peculiarly fitted 
him. 

Colonel Jewett was a member of the 
staff of Governor Goodell in 1889, and 
he was a member and chairman of 
the New Hampshire delegation to the 



and was the leading member of that 
body during the session, directing, 
to a large extent, the action upon most 
of the important measures. 

Colonel Jewett was married June 30, 
1SS0, to Annie L. Bray of Bradford, 
England, and he insists that most of his 
success in life is due to his wife. They 
have one son, Theo S. 





William A. Hummer. 



Republican national convention which 
nominated President McKinley at St. 
Louis in 1896. He is still a member of 
the executive committee, of the state 
committee, and the executive commit- 
tee of the Republican national league. 
At the last state election Colonel 
Jewett was elected to the New Hamp- 
shire senate from the sixth district, 



Colonel Jewett is a thirty-second de- 
gree Mason, has been an officer in all 
of the local Masonic bodies and -rand 
master of the Grand council of New 
I [ampshire. 

He served as a member of old Com- 
pany K. New Hampshire National 
Guard, and is connected with several 
other social and fraternal organizations. 



136 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



William A. Plummer. 



one of whom is the subject of this 
sketch. 

William A. Plummer of the well- William Alberto Plummer was born in 
known law firm of Jewett & Plummer, Gilmanton, Dec. 2, 1865. His father, 
and a prominent member of the Belknap Charles E. Plummer, was born in Gil- 
County bar, is a native of Gilmanton manton and still resides there, a large 
and can trace his family back to the landowner, his property covering over 
very first settlers of New England, a thousand acres, and he is extensively 
The Plummers were among the early engaged in farming, stock-raising, and 
settlers in Newburyport, Mass., in 1635, lumbering. William A. Plummer was 
and Governor Plummer of New Hamp- educated at Gilmanton academy, Dart- 
shire was of the same stock. On the mouth college, and Boston University 
maternal side, William Moody came School of Law. He was admitted to 
from England to Ipswich, Mass., in 
1633, and settled in Newbury, Massa- 
chusetts, in 1635. John Moody of 
Kingston is 
a collateral 
line from 
William, and 
was the fath- 
er of Capt. 
John Moody 
who lived in 
Gi 1 m an ton. 
He m o v e d 
to Gilman- 
ton from 
Kingston. 
Nov e m b e r 
15,1764. He 
settled on 
No. 5 of the 
u p per one 
h u n d r e d 

acres in the first parish. At that time 
he had no neighbors within four miles 
on the south and none nearer than the 
Canada line on the north. 

In 1776, Capt. John Moody enlisted 
twenty men, joined the army, and 
marched under Washington as a cap- 
tain to New York. They were out 
three months and eight days. He had 
seven children ; one son, Elisha Moody, 
was born Sept. 28, 1773, and died Sept. 
21, 1833. He had twelve children; 
one son, Stephen S. Moody, was born 
in Gilmanton, June 25, 1S06, and died 
April 27, 1893 ; he had six children. 
Mary H. Moody, a daughter, was born 
in Gilmanton, Dec. 5, 1830, and now 
lives in Gilmanton. She married Chas. 
E. Plummer. They had three children, 




Residence of William A. Plummer. 



the bar, July 26, 1889, and previous to 
this date he read law with J. C. Story 
at Plymouth, G. W. Murray at Canaan, 

and was also 
in the office 
of C. T. & 
T. H. Rus- 
sell of Bos- 
ton. Sept. 
2, 18S9, he 
became the 
partner of 
Col. S. S. 
Jewett, and 
the law firm 
of Jewett iSc 
Plummer i s 
one of the 
best known 
in the state, 
and it has 
gained much 
legal prestige from the ability of both 
members of the firm. 

In politics, Mr. Plummer is a Demo- 
crat, but not what is known as a Silver 
Democrat. He was a representative in 
the legislature in 1893, has been a 
member of the Laconia board of educa- 
tion since 1893, and president of the 
board for the past three years. He 
was a delegate to the Democratic na- 
tional convention at Chicago in 1S96. 

He is a director of the Laconia 
board of trade, a director of the La- 
conia National bank, a trustee of the 
City Savings bank, and a director of 
the Laconia Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation. 

Mr. Plummer is a Mason, a Knight 
of Pythias, and a member of the An- 



TH E ILLUSTRATED LAC< >X I A N . 



137 



cient Order of United Workmen. He 
was master of Mt. Lebanon lodge, 
i8g5-'96, and is an officer in Union 
chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and in 
Pilgrim commandery, Knights Templar. 

Mr. Plummer mar- 
ried Ellen F. Murray, 
daughter of George 
W. Murray, Esq., of 
Canaan, N. H., a well- 
known and able law- 
yer, who has achieved 
great success in his 
chosen prof e s s i o n , 
and during the active 
years of his profes- 
sional life enjoyed as 
extensive a law prac- 
tice as any lawyer in 
the state. Mr. and 
Mrs. Plummer have 
one son, Wayne Mur- 
ray Plummer, and 
their residence on 
Pleasant street is one 
of the most beautiful 




Dr. William A. King. 



and elegant homes in the city of Laconia. 
Dr. William A. King. 



Although a resident of Laconia for 
co m para- 
tively a few 
years, D r . 
'William A. 
King h a s 
practised his 
prof e s s i o n 
h e r e long 
enough to be 
reco g n i z e d 
as a skilful 
and profi- 
cient dentist, 
and to ac- 
quire a wide 
re pu t a t i o n 
for scientific 
work in his 

line, w h i c h 

. . , Residem 1 FDr. 

has resulted 

in building up a large and prosperous 

practice. 

Dr. Kin°: was born in Leeds, P. Q., 



Aug. 6, 1863, son of Henry and Mary 
Ann (Kirtland) King. He went to 
Littleton, N. H., in 18S1, and thence 
came to Laconia in iSSS, where he 
studied dentistry in a local office, then 
took a course at the 
Boston Dental col- 
lege, and afterwards 
attended the Balti- 
more Dental college, 
graduating from the 
latter institution in 
1890. 

Upon completing 
his professional stud- 
ies, Doctor King re- 
turn ed to Laconia, 
and has been in suc- 
cessful practice here 
since that time. He 
is located at No. 79 
Main street, where he 
has handsomely fitted 
apartments for his 
office, while his resi- 
dence on Lincoln 
street is generally admitted to be one of 
the most beautiful and comfortable 
homes in the city. 

He was married in 1S93 to Miss 
Helen Abbott Martin, daughter of the 

late H enry 
Martin and 
Mrs. Lucy J. 
Martin of 
Canaan, N. 
H . They 
have one son, 
Martin Ro- 
nald K ing, 
who is four 
vears old. 




The Laconia 
Grist-mill. 



One of the 
very first in- 
^£m dust r ies in 
Laconia was 
/Mian. A. King. g gr i st - m i 1 1 , 

which was established very soon after 
the Province road was built, about 
1770. The grist-mill was first erected 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



on the Meredith side of the river, but 
was swept away by a freshet in 1779, 
and then rebuilt on the Gilford side. In 
1775, the grist-mill was conducted by 
Stephen Gale, and afterwards by Col. 
Samuel Ladd, and from him handed 
down to one person and another until 
the present day. 

The mill building has been several 
times destroyed by fire, but always im- 
mediately rebuilt, and the location of 
the Laconia Grist-mill to-day, conducted 
by Miller J. S. Morrill is not very far 
from the first location on that side of 



passed away, and Miller Morrill still 
makes a special feature of custom 
grinding, although this is now a small 
part of the grist-mill business. The 
Laconia Grist-mill carries a large stock 
of all kinds of grain, feed, hay, straw, 
etc., and handles a larger quantity of 
Hour than any other concern in this 
section of New Hampshire. Mr. Mor- 
rill is agent for the well-known Pills- 
bury mills, which are the largest flour 
mills in the world, and produce the 
standard bread flour. During the past 
few years, the Laconia Grist-mill has 




—I ~ _2 r_ rr *!? 

£"'*- " l EH Li L sn HI 




The Laconia Grist-Mill. 



the river, the grist-mill which was 
erected in 1780 being built a trifle nearer 
the Mill street bridge. 

A century and a quarter of time has 
made considerable change in the grist- 
mill industry, but the Laconia Grist- 
mill has always managed to be classed 
as an up-to-date establishment, and is, 
to-day, equipped with modern machin- 
ery and conducted on modern princi- 
ples. In the olden times, the principal 
branch of this business was the grind- 
ing of corn and grain for the farmers, 
and this feature has not yet entirely 



built up a good trade in entire wheat 
flour, graham, bolted meal for cooking 
purposes, etc. 

Joseph S. Morrill, the present pro- 
prietor of this long-established industry, 
is a native of Canterbury, N. H., born 
April 22, 1S69. He completed his edu- 
cation at New Hampshire Conference 
Seminary, from which institution he 
graduated in 1SS9, and soon after com- 
menced learning the grain business and 
miller's trade. Mr. Morrill came to 
Laconia in April, 1890, and formed a 
partnership with Mr. W. L. Melcher 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONTAN. 



L39 



and G. G. Brown, and engaged in busi- 
ness at the Laconia Grist-mill. Mr. 
Melcher retired from the concern in 
[892, and three years later, in 1895, Mr. 
lirown sold out his interest in the busi- 




Juseph S. Morrill. 

ness to Mr. Morrill, who has since con- 
ducted the mill alone. Mr. Morrill 
married Tna M. Stone of Webster, 
N. H., September 7, 1S92. He has 
been quite successful in the manage- 
ment of the grist-mill business, and has 
built up a large trade in all depart- 
ments of the business. Grist-mills in 
many parts of New Hampshire have 
been abandoned and rendered almost 
useless by the march of progress, but 
the Laconia mill has always kept up 
with the procession, and under the 
enterprising management of Mr. Mor- 
rill bids fair to be a necessary and prof- 
itable industry for a century or two 
longer at least. 



The Late John O'Loughlin. 



The late John O'Loughlin, who died 
in lioston, October 26. 1 S96, was a young 
Laconian who rose by his own enter- 
prise and ability, from a poor boy, start- 
ing in life without a penny, to be post- 
master of Laconia, and recognized as 



city. He was the son of Martin and 
Nora O'Loughlin. who were industrious 
and excellent people, but very poor. At 
an early age, John O'Loughlin found 
employment in the Pitman mills, and 
later on was a clerk in the Pitman gro- 
cery and hardware store. He then en- 
tered the store of Lougee Brothers, and 
after several years was with the O'Shea 
Brothers for some time, until he at- 
tracted the attention of the late Hon. 
John C. Moulton, who made him mana- 
ger of the Moulton opera house, and 
finally employed him nearly all the time 
in looking after the Moulton real es- 
tate and other interests. It was largely 
through Mr. O'Loughlin's efforts that 
the old gas company was merged into 
the present YVinnipesaukee Gas com- 
pany, and the new modern gas plant 
constructed. In March, 1895. Mr. 
O'Loughlin was appointed postmaster 
of Laconia, after one of the hardest 




The late John O'Loughlin. 

contests in the history of Laconia. He 
went into the fight with almost no 
prospects of success, and but very 
little influential backing, and that he 



one of the active business men of the was successful was due almost entirely 



140 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



to his own energy and persistency. 
He took much pride in moving the 
post-office from its old quarters to the 
handsome quarters in Masonic temple, 
and in having the establishment fitted 
in metropolitan style. Mr. O'Loughlin 
worked hard with the department at 
Washington for the free delivery sys- 
tem, and was finally successful in 
securing this service for Laconia. 

Light-hearted, jovial, loyal to his 
friends and generous to a fault, ten- 
denly caring for his widowed mother 
and trying to keep 
the family togeth- 
er after the death 
of his parents, 
Johnny O'Lough- 
lin was a young 
man with many 
commendable 
t r a its of charac- 
ter. He was but 
twenty-eight years 
old at the time of 
his death, but had 
ace o m p 1 i s h e d 
more in his brief 
business career 
than most m e n 
similarly situat- 
ed would have 
achieved in a 
whole lifetime. 



Dr. Alfred W. 
Abbott. 




Dr. Alfred Wells 

Abbott has prac- Dr . Alfred W. Abbott. 

tised his profes- 
sion in Laconia for nearly twenty years, 
and has won a wide reputation as an 
able physician. 

He was born in Concord, N. H., May 
7, 1842, son of Alfred C. and Judith 
(Farnham) Abbott. He studied medi- 
cine with Dr. S. S. Emery at Fisherville 
(now Penacookj, and graduated with 
honor at Dartmouth Medical college in 
1868. He commenced the practice of 
his profession at Lawrence, Kansas, but 
soon returned to New Hampshire, locat- 
ing at Suncook, where he remained un- 



til July, 1870, and then removed to San- 
bornton, where he remained ten years, 
acquiring a large and lucrative practice, 
and gaining a host of friends. Runnells's 
history of Sanbornton, published while 
Dr. Abbott was a resident of that town, 
says of him: "He has won much es- 
teem for his social qualities, and as a 
well-read, scientific physician, enjoying 
an extensive practice in this and ad- 
joining towns." 

In 1S80 he came to Laconia, and 
here, preceded by his reputation for 
skill and knowl- 
edge, he made 
rapid strides in 
his prof ess io n , 
and to-day he oc- 
cupies an assured 
position among 
the leading practi- 
tioners of New 
Hampshire. His 
practice i s large 
and lucrative, he 
has acquired a 
competency, and 
is considered one 
of Laconia's best 
financiers. He 
has long been a 
trustee of the La- 
conia Savings 
bank, and has 
been president of 
the Citizens' Tel 
ephone company 
since its organiz- 
ation in 1896. 

He was the first 
vi ce -president of 
Winnipesaukee Academy of Medicine, 
and its second president. In his politi 
cal affiliations Dr. Abbott is a staunch 
Republican, but has never sought poli- 
tical preferment, and has steadfastly re- 
fused official positions, although often 
urged by his political friends to accept 
positions of honor and trust. He is 
distinctively a professional man, and 
devotes his whole time and attention to 
the calling which he loves so well and 
in which he has been so successful. 
He was married December 30, 1869, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Mi 



to Julia Ann Clay of Manchester, N. H., 
by whom he has had three children : 
Clifton Smith, born Jan. 16. 187 1, a 
graduate of the Dartmouth Medical col- 
lege in the class of 1893. Dr. Clifton 
Abbott is now in partnership with his 
father and has a well-deserved reputa- 
tion as a learned and skilful physician. 
Blanche Newall Abbott was born April 
10, 1872, is a young lady of many ac- 
complishments, and a teacher in our 
Laconia public schools. Carl Benning 
Abbott was born August 29, 1877, and 
died M arch, 
18SS. 



cine, Winnipesaukee lodge, 1. < ). ( ). F., 
and is also a member of the Order 
of Golden Cross. He is unmarried, 
and an attendant at the Congregational 
church. 



The Laconia Democrat. 



Dr. Clifton S. 
Abbott. 




Dr. Clifton 
S . Abbott i s 
one of the 
youngest, but 
by n o means 
the least, of 
Laconia's phy- 
sicians. He 
was born in 
Sanbornton, 
Jan. 16, 187 1. 
the son of Dr. 
A. W. and Julia 
Abbott, and is 
one of a family 
of physicians. 
He was educat- 
ed in the public 
schools of La- 
conia, and stud- 
ied the medical 
p r o f e s sion at 
I >artmouth Medical college, where he 
graduated in 1894, afterwards taking a 
post-graduate course at Harvard Medi- 
cal school. Dr. Clifton Abbott com- 
menced practice in this city in the office 
of his father, witli whom he is still asso- 
ciated. 

He was elected a member of the 
board of education in March, 1S99, and 
is county physician for Laconia and 
Sanbornton, also surgeon at the Laconia 
Cottage hospital. He is a member of 
the Winnipesaukee Academy of Medi- 



Dr. Clifton S. Abbutt 



Laconia has had numerous news- 
papers during the last sixty years, but 
with the exception of the Laconia 
Democrat at this end of the city, and 
the Belknap Re- 
publican at 
Lakeport, none 
of them h a s 
surv i v e d the 
journalistic 
storms for more 
than a dozen 
or fifteen years. 
The Demo crat 
was founded in 
1 S 49 , and is 
conse q u e n 1 1 y 
half a century 
old, and it has 
always been a 
thriving and 
progressive 
newspaper. 
The paper was 
started by 
Keach <\- Seav- 
er, and among 
its editors and 
proprietors 
have been the 
late S. C. Bald- 
win, the late 
Joseph Batchelder, the late O. A. J. 
Vaughan, William M. Kendall, and Col. 
Edwin C. Lewis, with his partners. Col. 
Lewis was connected with the Laconia 
Democrat for about eighteen years, and 
under his editorship the paper was ex- 
ceedingly prosperous. 

In the year 1 S97 Colonel Lewis sold 
his interest in the concern, and the 
Laconia Press Association was organ- 
ized, with Ex-Gov. Charles A. Busiel as 
president and a frequent contributor to 
the editorial columns, and Charles W. 



14: 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Vaughan as general manager. As an 
advocate of state reform and the devel- 
opment of New Hampshire, during the 
past two years, 
the circ u 1 a t i o n 
and influence of 
the Laconia Dem- 
ocrat have largely 
increased, and 
from a merely lo- 
cal paper cover- 
ing only Belknap 
county the paper 
now enjoys an 
extensive circula- 
tion in all parts 
of the Granite 
State. 



E. P. Jewell 




Erastus P . 
Jewell was born 
in the town of 
Sandwich, N. H., 
March 16, 1837. 

He Came to La- Erastus P. Jewell 

conia in 1859 and 

studied law with the late Col. Thos. J. 
Whipple. The law firms of Whipple & 
Jewell, Jewell & Smith, Jewell & Stone, 



The foregoing is the full extent of the 
information which Lawyer Jewell was 
willing to furnish to the Illustrated La- 
conian, for a 
sketch of himself, 
but the publishers 
take the liberty to 
add that Mr. Jew- 
ell has a wide rep- 
utation as a safe 
and careful coun- 
selor and has won 
especial fame in 
argument and 
pleading before 
the jurymen of 
Belknap county 
and in fact in all 
the courts of New 
Hampshire. He 
has always been 
intensely interest- 
ed in matters of 
history, especially 
pertaining to the 
early settlement 
of this section of 
New Hampshire, 
and probably but few men in New Eng- 
land can talk so intelligently and in- 
terestingly of the Indians of the Granite 




Residence of Erastus P. Jewell. 

Jewell, Stone, Owen & Martin, have been state as "Perry" Jewell. In this con- 
well and widely known. Mr. Jewell's law nection, he has made a large and valu- 
firm is now Jewell, Owen & Veasey. able collection of Indian relics, stone 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



M3 



implements, arrow-heads, hatchets, 
knives, etc.. which he treasures highly, 
but which will probably some clay be 
turned over to the custody of the city 
for preservation for future generations. 



The Late Nathaniel Edgerly. 



Nathaniel Edgerly was born in the 
Iron Works village in Gilmanton, Sept. 
22, 1802, and died in Laconia, Sept. 26, 
1874. He was one of a family of ten 
children of Da- 



Mr. Edgerly was married, Nov. 9, 
1830, to Lucy Thurston of Gilmanton, 
who died in 1858. Eight children were 
born to them, of whom four survive. 

In religion. Mr, Edgerly was a Uni- 
versalist: in politics, a Democrat. 



Laconia Water Company. 



No city or town in the United States 

can boast of a better, purer, or more 

inexhaustible water supply than the city 

on the lakes. 



vid and A n n a X e w Ha m p - 

(Lougee) Ed- shire is noted 

gerly. for its clear 

After receiv- lakes, ponds, 

ing such educa- and the largest 

tion as could lake in the 

be obtained at state, and one 

the com m on of the purest 

schools and df fc " "1jF££: and clearest - is 
at Gilmanton Lake Winnipe- 
academy, and saukee, from 
serving for a ' whence the city 
time as a book- /— — of Laconia 
keeper in Bos- "** draws its entire 
ton, he learned *v , water supply, 
the clothier's ^ «,.--/ The ma tter of 
trade, at which ■*■•*?' ""^W a city water sup- 
he worked in ^k $*•— ^^ $ !■■ ply had been 
his father's mill f *=■£... agitated for sev- 
in Gilmanton. I f eral years, and 
and later car- J a survey was 
ried on the made as f a r 
same business j. back as [869, 
on his own ac- M but largely 
count. He also, IB JIHMMMHHHi through 

for a time, kept The late Nathaniel Edgerly. J 01 " 1 * °* P° n - 

a general store W. L. Melcher 
in Gilmanton. Subsequently, he was em- and Col. B. F. Drake, a charter was 
ployed in the Strafford county registry obtained in 1883, and a company organ- 
of deeds at Dover, X. H. 



He served two terms as one of the 
selectmen of Gilmanton, and in 1S40 was 
elected to the legislature from that town. 

In 1841, the county of Belknap hav- 
ing been recently organized, he was 
appointed register of deeds, to which 
office he was annually re-elected until 
1859. Eor a short time after his retire- 
ment from the register's office, he was 
engaged in the boot and shoe trade. 



ized in August. 1884. as the Laconia 
and Lake Village Water-Works, with 
a capital of S6o,ooo. 

The plant was constructed in [885, 
and water was first let on in December 
of that year. The pumping-station is 
located on Union avenue, at Lakeport, 
and the reservi >ii is upon the high hill 
overlooking Lake Paugus, on the eas- 
terly side of Union avenue. The sys- 
tem has, of course, been extended from 



M + 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



year to year, and the capital stock has 
been increased to $100,000. The total 
cost of the plant, up to date, is about 
$175,000. The name of the corpora- 
tion was changed to Laconia Water 
Company, by the legislature, in 1897. 

The original officers of the corpora- 
tion were : President, Hon. John C. 
Moulton ; treasurer, Hon. W. L. Melch- 
er ; clerk, John W. Ashman ; superin- 
tendent, Benj. F. Drake ; directors, 
John C. Moulton, Woodbury L. Melch- 
er, Benj. J. Cole, Ellery A. Hibbard, 



tion are: President, Hon. Woodbury L. 
Melcher ; clerk and treasurer, Edmund 
Little ; superintendent, Frank P. Web- 
ster ; directors, Woodbury L. Melcher, 
Ellery A. Hibbard, Benjamin F. Drake, 
Gardner Cook. John S. Crane, William 
B. Fellows, Geo. H. Roby, Frank E. 
Busiel, Wm, H. Pepper. 



The Late Samuel H. Martin. 



The untimely death of the late Sam- 
uel H. Martin, on April 26, 1S98, re- 




... 



Laconia Pumping Station. 



Benj. F. Drake, Gardner Cook, Henry 
B. Quinby. 

The total amount of pipe laid at the 
present time is twenty-three and one 
fourth miles, and there are now 1,489 
consumers taking water from this sys- 
tem. The corporation can supply 
3,000,000 gallons of water per day if 
necessary. There are about ninety-two 
hydrants for fire purposes attached to 
the system. The capacity of the reser- 
voir is 2,750,000 gallons. 

The present officers of the corpora- 



moved from the Belknap Bar associa- 
tion one of the brightest and most 
promising young lawyers of Laconia. 
Mr. Martin was a native of Bangor, 
P. Q., and the son of Mr. and Mrs. 
George A. Martin. His age at the time 
of his death was thirty-one years and 
nine months. He came to Laconia 
with his parents when a mere boy, and 
obtained his education in our public 
schools. He studied law with Jewell & 
Stone, and was admitted to the bar in 
July, 1S92, entering the office of Stan- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



J 45 



ton Owen, the firm being known as 
Owen & Martin. About a year later, 
the partnership of Jewell, Stone, ( hven 
& Martin was formed, and continued 
until broken by Mr. Martin's decease. 

Mr. Martin never enjoyed robust 
health, and on several occasions during 
the few years previous to his death his 
life was despaired of, but he was ambi- 
tious and possessed of great will power, 
which enabled him to fight against dis- 
ease, and he persisted in attending to Charles William McDaniel was born 
his professional duties long after most in South Berwick, Maine, May 5, 1 8 5 _r . 

father 



was always cheerful and hopeful regard- 
ing his physical condition, and per- 
sisted in going to his office and devol 
ing himself to his professional work 
just as long as he had the physical 
strength to get out of doors. 

In 1892 he married Miss Nellie A. 
Schoffe, who survives him. 



Charles W. McDaniel. 



men would have 
given up t h e 
fight and mere- 
1 v waited for 
death. 

Mr. Martin 
was admitted to 
be one of the 
most studious, 
logical, and elo- 
qu en t young 
lawyers w h i c h 
the city on the 
lakes ever pro- 
duced. He was 
popular with 
his associate 
members of the 
bar and highly 
respected by 
the entire com- 
munity. Strict- 
ly honorable 
and upright in 
all his dealings 
with clients and 
opponents, his 
conduct of le- 
gal affairs was a model of professional 

etiquette. He was easy and convincing the machinist trade in North Andover, 
in his address, and at times rose to gen- Mass., where he worked about one 
uine eloquence. He was a self-made year, completing the trade of tool mak- 
man, for he carried himself along to ing two years later at the shop of Frank 
success by his own unaided efforts, by Perkins in Lowell. In 1 S7 7, he went 
pluck and ambition, in spite of the dis- with a large prospecting party from 




The late Samuel II. Martin 



His 

was Charles S. 
McDaniel, who 
was a descend- 
ant fro m t h e 
Scotch McDan- 
iel brothers , 
who we re among 
the first settlers 
of Maine. His 
mother, Sarah 
Minerva Frost, 
was closely re- 
lated to the In- 
dian fighter 
Charles Frost, 
and Prophet 
Frost, whose 
names w e r e 
household 
words in Elliott 
and other parts 
of M aine, in 
their day. I le 
was ed u c a t e d 
in the schools 
of his native 
town. At the 
age of eighteen years he began to learn 



ease which fastened itself upon him in 
his early manhood and hampered him 
from pursuing his studies and in his 
professional life. 

With a full knowledge that he was to 
be an early victim of consumption, he 



Franklin, N. II.. to the Black Hills. 
This was before the railroad went into 
the hills, and Mr. McDaniel covered the 
entire distance from Cheyenne to Dead- 
wood City, about 350 miles, on foot, 
and was the only one of the party that 



146 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



held out to walk the entire distance. 
He remained in this section about a 
year and then he and three others went 
down the Missouri river from Fort 
Pierre to Sioux City in a flat-bottomed 
boat of their own manufacture. Re- 
turning east he resumed his trade as a 
machinist in Franklin Falls. 

June 26, 1879, he married Ida Frances 
Sanders of Bristol, N. H., daughter of 
Benjamin and Priscilla (Blake) Sanders. 
Her father, Benjamin Sanders, was a 
member of the Twelfth New Hampshire 
regiment, and 
was in the battle 
of Fr e d e r i c k s - 
b u rg, December, 
1862 ; battle of 
(Jhancellorsvill e , 
May 2, 1863. He 
was wounded in 
the right arm at 
this battle and 
was captured by 
the C o n f e d er- 
ates, and held 
eleven days and 
then exchanged. 
After being con- 
fined in the hos- 
p i t a 1 several 
weeks he was 
discharged in Oc- 
tober, 1863, for 
d i s a b ility. He 
enlisted again on 
March 16, 1864, 
in Company A, 
First New Hamp- 
shire Cavalry, was 
taken prisoner, 
and died at Andersonville. Her moth- 
er, Priscilla Rundlett Blake, was great- 
granddaughter of Maj. Joseph Prescott 
of Bunker Hill fame. 

This union has been blessed with 
three children : Harry Sewal, who is 
a clerk in Plummer & Thompson's drug 
store in Laconia ; Jessa Saunders, who 
is a student at the Laconia High 
school, and Charles Stanley, a bright 
little fellow of nine years. 

Mr. McDaniel resided in Bristol from 
1879 to 1887, where he was engaged in 




the paper mills of Mason, Perkins & 
Co., and as assistant superintendent of 
of the Train, Smith & Co. paper mills. 
In 1887, after the death of Mrs. McDan- 
iel's mother, they removed to Lakeport, 
where they now reside. Mr. McDaniel 
was made a Master Mason at Franklin, 
and is now a member of Mt. Lebanon 
lodge, Union chapter, and Pilgrim 
commandery of Laconia, and also a 
member of Chocorua lodge, I. O. O. F. 

He was appointed by Gov. C. A. 
Busiel, in 1S96, as inspector of steam- 
boats for the state 
of New H a m p - 
shire, which posi- 
tion he still holds. 
Although not 
an aspirant for 
political honors 
he is in principles 
a staunch Repub- 
lican. In religious 
faith, Mr. McDan- 
^Fiftl iel is a Baptist, 

and the family at- 
tend the Union 
Avenue Baptist 
church at Lake- 
port. 



Gordon & Booth, 
Jewelers, 



Charles W. McDaniel 



Gordon & Booth, 
jewelers, are pro- 
prietors of the 
oldest jewelry es- 
tablishment in the 
city of Laconia, 
the business hav- 
ing been started by the late Richard 
Gove, who came here from Boston in 
1833, and opened a store in this line 
in a little one-story wooden building, 
which stood just below the Main street 
bridge, on a portion of the site now oc- 
cupied by the Smith brick block. 

Mr. Gove built up a very prosperous 
trade and erected several large business 
blocks on Main street, one on the pres- 
ent site of Folsom block, and another 
fine fire-proof building near the location 
of the present Gordon & Booth store 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



M7 



The building did not prove to be fire- 
proof, however, and was destroyed in 
the great conflagration of i860. Mr. 
Gove was one of the most public- 
spirited and enterprising citizens of Ids 
day, and lie fitted up Gove Point, which 
projects into Lake Winnesquam, at his 
own expense and at great cost, for the 
benefit of the public, as a common pleas- 
ure resort free to all. 

Under Mr. Gove's management and 
under its present management by 
Messrs. Gordon & Booth, the jewelry 
establishment has always been one of 
the leading stores in this line in this 



River and Bradford, Vt. He came to 
Laconia in 1874 and was with Mr. 

Gove (his uncle) in the store from that 
time until Mr. Cove's death in April, 
1883. Since that date he has con- 
tinued the business himself. Mr. booth 
entering the partnership in the summer 
of 189S. Mr. Gordon is a Democrat in 
politics and served as selectman three 
years under the old town government. 
He is a director of the Laconia build- 
ing and Loan Association, a trustee of 
the Laconia Savings bank, and presi- 
dent of the Laconia Land and Improve- 
ment company. In fraternal orders 




Gordon & Booth's Jewelry Store 



section of New Hampshire. It carries 
a large stock of gold and silver jewelry, 
watches, clocks, optical goods, silver 
and plated ware, china, and, in fact, 
everything which can be found in an 
up-to-date metropolitan jewelry estab- 
lishment. 

Mr. Alburtis S. Gordon, the senior 
member of the firm, is a native of 
Hebron. X. H., the son of Levi S. and 
Mary (Gove) Gordon, born May 17, 
1848. He was ■ educated in the public 
schools, and then learned the tinsmith's 
trade when eighteen years of age, and 
worked at this trade five years in Wells 



Mr. Gordon is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, Knights of Honor, and a 
thirty-second degree Mason, being a 
member of the local branches of Ma- 
sonry, including Pilgrim Commandery 
Knights Templar, and Raymond Con- 
sistory of Nashua. 

John booth, the junior member of 
the firm, was born Sept. ii>. [871, in 
Aberdeenshire, Scotland, his parents 
being George ami Annia (Mellis) booth. 
He has been employed at Danville, 
P. Q.. and St. Johnsbury. \'t., and was 
in business at Windsor Mills, I'. Q. 
lie came to Laconia in June, 1898. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



149 



Pease's City Band. 



Pease's City Band of Laconia was 

reorganized in the spring of 1893, with 
Charles R. Pease as leader and direc- 
tor. This organization was composed 
of some of the best musicians in the 
city, and at once sprang into popular 
favor. It has progressed rapidly, and 
to-day ranks with the best bands in the 
state. It is in a very prosperous condi- 
tion, having two sets of uniforms, and 
has had a new band-room built for its 
especial con- 
veni ence, and 
f urn ish ed in 
modern style 
throughout. It 
also has a large 
library of music. 
Its present 
membership is 
twenty-five mu- 
sicians, with the 
following in- 
s t rumentation : 
Director and 
leader, Charles 
R. Pease ; cor- 
nets, Ernest 
Ringer. William 
F. Sanborn, 
Harry W.Smith, 
HenryTurcotte, 
Albert B. Ladd ; 
flute and picco- 
lo, Robert S. 
Foss; clarinets, 
Clarence R. 
Davis, William . 

H. H a wk i ns, 

Geo. Ringer, John Webber, Leon Ladd ; 
altos, Sidney H. Smith. Ceo. R. bow- 
man. Austin Folsom ; baritone, Archie 
L. Bean; trombones, ("has. H. Hoyt, 
John H. Swain. James Harder; bassos, 
fas. Ringer, F. A. Clement. J. B. Morrill ; 
drums, Leon Hale, H. P. Dimond, I'. A. 
Carleton ; drum-major, I. M. Cottrell. 



Albert S. Glidden. 



Albert S. Glidden, manager and pro- 
prietor of the concern known as A. S. 



Glidden «N: Co., brass founders, is a 
native of Lynn, Mass.. born Sept. 26, 
[859, the son of Levi and Emily (Cole- 
man) Glidden, both of whom are now 
deceased. He removed to New Hamp- 
shire with his parents when only two 
years old. and was educated in the 
public schools of Laconia. Mr. (Hid- 
den learned the foundry business at the 
shops of the late George Rollins, which 
were located on Gove Point in this city. 
After learning his trade. Mr. Glidden 
removed to Manchester and remained 
there about 
t h r e e y r a r s . 
then returned 
to Laconia. and 
has been con- 
nected with the 
various foun- 
dries in this 
city. He went 
into b u s i n e s s 
for himself in 
Boston, in part- 
nership with 
W. H. Wilkin- 
son, under the 
firm name of 
W. H. Wilkin- 
son & Co.. but 
retired from this 
business to re - 
turn to Laconia, 
where he start- 
ed a brass foun- 
dry of his own. 
located o n 
Somes court, in 
a new building 
which was erect- 
ed especially for this purpose. 

The concern does business under the 
linn name of A. S. Glidden & Co.. and 
manufactures all kinds of brass and 
composition castings. It is the only 
concern in this line in this city and the 
work turned out is considered of high 
quality. The business has been very 
prosperous and is constantly increasing, 
Mr. Glidden is an Odd bellow, and a 
Knight of Pythias. He was married 
in [882 to Miss Ida J. Davis .,1 L.u o- 
nia. Thev have no children. 




!5° 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Laconia National Bank. 



The Laconia National bank, with a 
capital of $150,000, is the largest and 
easily the most important banking in- 
stitution in this section of New Hamp- 
shire. The bank was organized Decem- 
ber 28, 1865, and commenced business 
May 1, 1866, with the following board 
of officers : President, John C. Moulton ; 
cashier, Daniel S. Dinsmoor ; directors, 
John C. Moulton, Ellery A. Hibbard, 
Samuel T. Thomas, William N. Blair, 
Benjamin J. Cole, Samuel C. Clarke, 
Hanson Beede. The bank hired vault 



building. The explosion alarmed the 
citizens in the vicinity, but the robbers 
boldly reentered the bank, hastily gath- 
ered up the booty and escaped. The 
windows in the entire block were shiv- 
ered, the plastering torn off, and one 
side of the entire building started from 
its fastenings. The securities were 
afterwards recovered, being found 
where the burglars discarded them as 
of no value, and the loss of the cash 
and bonds did not of course cripple the 
bank. 

In 1889 tne bank was moved to its 
present location at Bank square, where 




Interior of Laconia National Bank. 



room of the old Belknap County bank, 
and occupied rooms in the same build- 
ing. This bank has always transacted 
a large and profitable business, and has 
always been regarded as one of the 
most reliable and soundest financial es- 
tablishments in this vicinity. 

April 25, 1879, the bank was burglar- 
ized, the safe blown open, and $3,500 
in cash, and $2,600 in bonds, besides 
securities to the amount of nearly $145,- 
000. were taken. The burglars forced 
the front door, drilled into the safe, and 
opened the steel chest with an explo- 
sion which almost wrecked the entire 



it owns and occupies a handsome, three- 
story, brick block, handsomely and ele- 
gantly equipped, and furnished in mod- 
ern style, with tile flooring, mahogany 
finish, steel ceilings, fire and burglar- 
proof vault, etc. 

The present officers of the establish- 
ment are : President, Charles A. Busiel ; 
vice-president, Henry B. Quinby ; cash- 
ier, Orran W. Tibbetts; assistant cash- 
ier, Charles W. Tyler ; directors, George 
H. Clark, Meredhh ; Ellery A. Hibbard, 
Charles A, Busiel, Charles F. Pitman, 
Henry B. Quinby, Dennis O'Shea, Wil- 
liam F, Knight, Stephen S. Jewett, all 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOMA.V 



JS 1 



of Laconia ; J. Alonzo Greene, Moul- 
tonborough; Orran W. Tibbetts, Wil- 
liam A. Plummer, Laconia. 



City Savings Bank. 



The City Savings bank, which occu- 
pies rooms with the Laconia National 
bank, is the youngest banking establish- 
mentin the _ 
city, being char- 
tered in 1895. 
An organ i z a- 
tion was effect- 
ed, and the 
bank commenc- 
ed business 
April 1, 1897, 
and from the 
date of opening 
the increase of 
deposits has 
been rapid and 
steady. The 
bank has been 
enabled to in- 
vest its depos- 
its in first-class, 
gilt- edged se- 
curities, nearly 
all its money 
being loaned 
upon valuable 
real estate in 
Laconia and 
vicinity. The 
aim of this 
bank is to in- 
vest the money 
of its deposit- |fr^^^ 
ors carefully 
and conserva- 
tively, pa y i n g ^ N> 
as high a rate 

of interest as can be earned from strict- 
ly safe investments. Local real estate 
is given the preference in all cases over 
Western or Southern securities. 

Judging from the increase of bus- 
iness during its two years of exist- 
ence, the City Savings bank bids fair 
to soon become one of the strongest 
and most popular savings banks in the 
state. 




!T33H{B 



The present officers of the City Sav- 
ings bank are : President, Charles A. 
Busiel ; vice-president, Henry B. Quin- 
by ; treasurer, Orran W. Tibbetts ; sec- 
retary, Charles W. Tyler; investment 
committee, Charles A. Busiel, William 
A. Plummer, John F. Merrill, Julius E. 
Wilson ; trustees, Charles A. Busiel, 
Thomas Cogswell, Henry B. Quinby, 
Stephen S. 
Jewett, William 
A. Plummer, 
John F. Mer- 
rill, Dennis 
O'Shea, Julius 
E.Wilson, Chas. 
F. Stone, Addi- 
son G. Cook, 
Edw. P.Thomp- 
son, Charles W. 
Vaughan; mem- 
bers of the cor- 
pora ti on and 
associate trus- 
tees: Willi am 
F. Knight, La- 
conia ; Joseph 
W. Pitman, La- 
conia ; Horace 
H.Wood, Lake- 
port ; Henry F. 
Dorr, Centre 
Sandwich ; Oli- 
ver J. M. Gil- 
m an, Alton; 
William B. Fel- 
lows, Til ton : 
HerbertJ. Jones, 
Alton ; Edwin 
C. Be a n , Bel- 
mont ; Chas W. 
Tyler, Laconia; 
Orran W. Tib- 
betts, Laconia. 

City Clerk Simeon C. Frye. 



Simeon Cheney Frye was born in 
Sanbornton, \. II.. April 26, 1865, son 
of Jonathan J. Frye of Grantham, and 
Ruth II. Leavitl (Frye) of Sanbornton. 
He is a descendant of some of the oldest 
families in New England, and is a lineal 
descendant of Thomas 1 Hidley, second 



I 5 2 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



governor of the Massachusetts bay col- Mr. Frye is connected with several 

ony. His great-grandfather was a sol- of the secret and fraternal orders. He 
dier in the Revolutionary War and was is a member of Mt. Lebanon lodge, 
engaged in the battle of Bennington. No. 32, A. F. &: A. M., of which at 

the present time he is junior warden. 
He is also a member of Chocorua lodge, 
No. 51, I. O. O. F., and of Granite 
lodge, No. 3, Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, of which latter organization 
he has been recorder since 1892. 




Street Commissioner William Nelson. 



Simeon C. Frye. 

Another great-grandfather, George Av- 
ery, also served in the same war. 

Mr. Frye was educated at the New 
Hampton Institution, and came to La- 
conia in January, 1SS7, as bookkeeper 
for O'Shea Bros.' store and hosiery mill. 

He left this firm in March, JS90, to 
engage in the " ice harvest," caused by 
a famine of frozen water down country, 
which resulted in a boom in this indus- 
try in Laconia and vicinity. From Jan. 
1, 1S91, he was with Coburn cS: Leavitt 
as bookkeeper until the firm went out of 
business, and then entered the office of 
the Crane Manufacturing Co., Septem- 
ber, 1893, as bookkeeper, and remained 
with them until elected city clerk March 
29, 1894. Mr. Frye has been re-elected 
city clerk at each subsequent election 
annually and still holds the position, 
for which it is but justice to say he is 
admirably equipped and thoroughly effi- 
cient. His books and records are mod- 
els of neatness and correctness, and in 
the discharge of his official duties he 
has no superior in this line in New 
Hampshire. He was auditor of the 
state treasurer's accounts in 1897, ap- 
pointed by Governor Busiel. 



William Nelson, street commissioner 
of the city of Laconia, and also super- 
intendent of the sewer department and 
city engineer, is a native Laconian, born 




William Nelson. 

April 20, 187 1, his parents being Dr. 
David B. and Susan E. Nelson. He 
was educated in our public schools and 
graduated from the Laconia High 
school in the " Class of '87." The fol- 
lowing year, Mr. Nelson commenced 
the study of civil engineering, and he 
is generally admitted to have acquired 
a very proficient education in this pro- 
fession. He was appointed superin- 
tendent of the Laconia sewer depart- 
ment in 1892, city engineer in 1894, 
and street commissioner in 1897, and 
still holds all three positions, managing 
these three important departments of 
municipal work very acceptably. In ad- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



*53 



dition to these official positions, Mr. 
Nelson has served several times as 
moderator of Ward 4, is sealer of 
weights and measures for the county of 
Belknap and city of Laconia, and a 
justice of the peace. 

He is an attendant at the Congrega- 
tional church, and member of Golden 
Rule lodge, I. O. G. T., Granite lodge, 
A. O. U. W., Senior Warden of Mt. 
Lebanon lodge, A. F. & A. M., and 
a member of the Boston Society of 
Civil Engineers. 

Mr. Nelson was married to Mina L. 
Flint of Danville, F. Q., May 17, 1S92. 
They have three children: Thomas L., 
Arthur R., and Marion Ruth. 



City Treasurer Arthur W. Dinsmoor. 

Arthur W. Dinsmoor, city treasurer 
of Laconia, is a native Laconian, the 
son of the late Hon. Daniel Stark Dins- 
moor and Amelia M. (Whittemore) 







Arthur \V. Dinsmoor. 

Dinsmoor, born Jan. 1 r, 1870. Mr. 
Dinsmoor is a descendant of the famous 
Gen. John Stark, the Revolutionary 
hero, while the Dinsmoors are descend- 
ants of John Dinsmoor, one of the 
early settlers of New Hampshire, who 
was noted for his honesty and upright- 
ness both by white men and Indians in 
the old colonial days. 



Mr. Dinsmoor was educated in our 
public schools and at New Hampshire 
Conference seminary at Tilton. For 
ten years he has been a faithful and 
trusted attache of the Laconia National 
bank, and he also holds several other 
positions of trust and honor. He was 
elected city treasurer in March, 1894, 
and has held the office ever since that 
time, being reelected at each subse- 
quent annual election. He was one of 
the New Hampshire state auditors in 
1895, is treasurer of the Belknap County 
Fish and Game League and also treas- 
urer of the Laconia Fress Association. 

He is an attendant at the Congrega- 
tional church, and is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, holding the office of 
junior deacon in Mt. Lebanon lodge 
at the present time. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. 

Mr. Dinsmoor married Amy W. 
Hatch, June 21, 1893, and they have two 
sons, Daniel S. and Theodore Weston. 



Frank S. Peaslee. 



Frank S. Peaslee, dealer in fruit, con- 
fectionery, tobacco, cigars, and periodi 




Frank S. l'easlee. 

cals, is a native of this city, born at 
Lake Village, April i<), 1S71. Mr. 
Peaslee received a common school edu- 



54 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



cation, and is a knitter by trade, being 
employed in our local hosiery mills in 
his boyhood. He started in business 
in March, 1888, with a small stock of 
goods, in the room occupied by the 
Lakeport post-office. He met with fair 
success, but sold out the business in 
December, 1S92, and then worked in 
the hosiery mills three years, as a knitter. 
In July, 1895, he again embarked in 
trade, at No. 47 Elm street, where he is 



Mr. Peaslee is married, and resides at 
No. 60 School street. He has two little 
daughters, aged three and five years. 



The Late Hon. John W. Busiel. 



The late Hon. John W. Busiel was 
the founder of the hosiery establishment 
in Laconia, which still bears his name, 
and one of the pioneers in this industry 




The late Hon. John W. Busiel. 



still located, and has built up a succes- 
ful and prosperous business. 

He carries a large stock of all the 
popular cigars and tobacco, supple- 
mented by a choice line of pipes and 
other smokers' goods. Fresh fruits at 
all seasons of the year are a specialty 
with Mr. Peaslee, and he handles large 
shipments in this line. In periodicals, 
Mr. Peaslee sells the daily and weekly 
newspapers, all the popular magazines, 
and literature usually found at a first- 
class newsstand. 



in the United States. He was born in 
Moultonboro', N. H., March 28, 18 15. 
His parents were Moses F. and Relief 
Busiel, and he was the eldest of a fam- 
ily of seven sons and one daughter. 
Only three of his brothers are now liv- 
ing, Albert H., of Laconia ; Harrison 
M., of East Andover, N. H., and George 
H., of Providence, R. I. 

Mr. Busiel's education was obtained 
in the country district schools, at a 
time when schooling was limited to a 
few weeks per year, but he was quick 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



l SS 



to learn and made the most of his lim- 
ited opportunities. In his early youth 
he determined to be a woolen manufac- 
turer, and started out at the age of only 
twelve years, with his scanty wardrobe 
tied up in a handkerchief, to walk to 
Loudon, N. LL, where he entered the 
mill of his great-uncle, Lewis Flanders, 
who carded rolls and made flannels and 
cloths used at that period. A boy of 
unusual energy and determination, he 
remained with his uncle until he was 
nineteen years old, improving every op- 
portunity to learn the business, and at 
the same time proceeding methodically 
with his studies while his companions 
were at play. At nineteen years of age, 
with a new 
suit of clothes, 
and one hun- 
dred dollars 
in his pocket, 
young Busiel 
left his uncle's 
roof and went 
to Amesbury, 
Mass., where 
h e w a s em- 
ployed in a 
woolen mill 
and complet- 
ed his trade. 
Many times 
during his stay 
in Amesbury, 
he walked 

home, and out of his scanty earnings 
assisted in maintaining the family. 

From Amesbury, Mr. Busiel returned 
to New Hampshire and located at 
Meredith where he remained ten years 
in business for himself, as a manu- 
facturer of satinet cloth, knitting yarns. 
etc. In 1846 he came to Laconia and 
founded the J. W. Busiel mills, which 
he continued very successfully until his 
death which occurred July 26, [872. 

On December 23, 1841, he married 
Julia M., daughter of Stephen and 
Julia Tilton, of Meredith. Of this 
union were born three sons and one 
daughter. The daughter died in in- 
fancy, but the sons have lived to be an 
honor to their father's name. The 




Residence of Mrs. J. W. Busiel. 



eldest is Hon. Charles A. Busiel, ex- 
governor of New Hampshire. The 
other sons, John T. and Frank E., now 
carry on the hosiery business founded 
by their father. 

Mr. Busiel was a strong Democrat in 
politics, and represented Laconia in the 
legislature in iSyo-'yi. He was a man 
of public spirit, enterprise, and pro- 
gress. He manufactured the first gas 
burned in Laconia, and laid the first 
slate used here for roofing purposes. 
He also put in the first boiler and 
steam heat in the town. He took great 
interest in the welfare of Laconia, and 
gave generously to public buildings and 
all plans for the advancement of Laco- 
nia's prosper- 
ity. Me was 
a liberal sup- 
porter of the 
C ongregation- 
al church, of 
w h i C h M r s. 
Busiel is a 
member, and 
assisted mate- 
rially in re- 
modeling the 
church edifice. 
He w a s kind- 
hearted, gen- 
erous, and de- 
voted to the 
inter ests of 
town. 



Ex-Governor Charles A. Busiel. 



Probably no man has been more 
prominently and actively identified with 
the manufacturing, business, financial, 
and social life of Laconia, during the 
past thirty years, than Ex-Governor 
Charles A. Busiel. In the construc- 
tion of the Lake Shore railroad, the 
erection of the new passenger station, 
the establishment of a city hospital, the 
inauguration of the city government, 
and in a thousand and one other enter- 
prises, all in the direction of progress 
and advancement, Mr. Busiel lias made 
his mark and built for himself a monu- 
ment as a public-spirited, broad-minded, 



i56 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



progressive Laconian, which will do 
honor to him for centuries to come. 

Charles Albert Busiel was born in 
Meredith, N. H., Nov. 24, 1842. He 
was the eldest son of the late John W. 
and Julia (Tilton) Busiel. He received 
his education in the public schools of 
Laconia and at old Gilford academy, 



his attention has been given to electric 
roads which he believes are destined to 
supersede less advanced means of trans- 
portation, and to greatly assist in the 
progress and development of New 
Hampshire. 

In politics Ex-Governor Busiel is an 
Independent, but has always supported 



and after graduating he entered his the party which he believed represented 



father's hosiery 
mill and ac- 
quired a prac- 
tical knowledge 
of the entire 
business by 
actual labor in 
each depart- 
ment. In 1863 
he engaged in 
business on his 
own account, 
but within a 
few years sold 
his interest in 
the establ ish- 
ment which h e 
had put i n t o 
operation, and 
with a brother, 
in 1 8 6 9 , he 
entered into 
partnership and 
engaged in the 
manufacture of 
hosiery. Anoth- 
er brother joined 
the firm in 1872, 
and the n a m e 
became J. W. 
Busiel & Co. 
This business 
is still contin- 
ued and ranks as one of the most im 
portant industries in Laconia. 




Ex-Governor Charles A. Busie 



the best inter- 
ests of the peo- 
ple upon local, 
state, and na- 
tional issues. 
He represented 
Laconia in the 
legi slatures of 
1878 and 1879 ; 
he was a dele- 
gate to the 
Democratic na- 
tional conven- 
tion in Cincin- 
nati in 1880 ; as 
a Rep u b 1 i c a n 
candidate he be- 
came the first 
mayor of the 
new city of La- 
conia, although 
at that time the 
city was strong- 
1 y Democratic. 
He was reelect- 
ed mayor for a 
second term by 
a largely in- 
creased major- 
ity. In 1895 he 
was the Repub- 
lican candidate 
for governor of 
New Hampshire, and was elected by 
one of the largest majorities ever re- 



Ex-Governor Busiel is president of ceived by any candidate in this state, 



the Laconia National bank and also 
president of the City Savings bank. 
He has attained much prominence in 
railroad circles by his investments in 
this kind of property, by his success in 
organizing and constructing the Lake 
Shore railroad, and as one of the 
managing directors of the old Concord 
& Montreal railroad. In later vears 



about 10,000 majority and 13,000 plur- 
ality. For the first time in history, every 
county in New Hampshire returned a 
Republican majority at this election. 
As governor of the state he advocated 
and even compelled retrenchments and 
reforms, which saved the treasury hun- 
dreds of thousands of dollars, and it 
was universally admitted by opponents 



the illustrated laconian. 



!57 



as well as friends, that Governor Busiel 
was one of the best governors who 
ever held the position of chief execu- 
tive in this state. He was prominent 
as a candidate for United States sena- 
tor in 1896, and was undoubtedly the 
choice of his state for a secretary's 
portfolio in President McKinley's 
cabinet. 

Ex-Governor Busiel attends the Con- 
gregational church. He is very promi- 
nent in Masonic circles, as well as in 
the Knights of Pvthias and other bene- 



Preston, daughter of Worcester Pres- 
ton. They have one daughter, Frances 
E. Busiel, who is the wife of Wilson 
Longstreth Smith of Germantown. Pa., 
and they have one son, Charles Albert 
Busiel Smith, born March 1. 1895. 



John T. Busiel. 



John T. busiel, of the firm of J. W. 
Busiel <.\: Co., woolen hosiery manufac- 
turers, was the second son of John W. 
and Julia M. (Tilton) busiel, born Oct. 




Residence of Hon. Charles A. Busiel. 



facial, social, and charitable organiza- 
tions. 

During his administration as gov- 
ernor he paid $200,000 of the state 
debt, and $75,000 to defray expenses 
left due by previous administrations, 
by his vetoes of the unnecessary meas- 
ures passed by the legislature, Governor 
Busiel practically saved the state a mil- 
lion dollars, and when he retired from 
office he left in the state treasury, 
$590,706.07 according to the report of 
the state auditing committee. 

In 1S64 he married Eunice Elizabeth 



12, 1847, i' 1 that part of the old 
town of Gilford which was afterwards 
annexed to the town of Laconia, and 
now forms a part of the city. He was 
educated in the public schools, gradu- 
ated at Phillips Exeter academy, class 
of '64, and at Harvard university, class 
of '68. Since completing his educa- 
tion, Mr. Busiel has been engaged in 
the hosiery industry in Laconia, as a 
member of the firm of J. W. busiel & 
Co. 

Mr. busiel was a member of the New 
Hampshire legislature in 1SS3. He is 



i 5 8 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



president of the board of trustees of the 
Laconia public library; vice-president 



Frank E. Busiel. 




John 'J'. Busiel. 

of the People's National bank ; trustee 
of the Belknap Savings bank; and a 
director in the Win- 
nipesaukee Gas & 
Electric Co. 

He is active and 
aggressive in public 
matters pertaining 
to the welfare of 
Laconia, and he is 
one of the trustees 
and building com- 
mittee under the 
will of the late X. B. 
Gale, to lay out pub- 
lic grounds for a 
park, and erect the 
Gale Memorial 
building for a pub- 
lic library and his- 
torical museum. 

He married Nel- ^to^*"^«>. 

lie M., daughter of 
James E. and Sarah 
(Brock) Pinkham, 

July 6, 1S70, and has one daughter, 
Helen J. Busiel. 



Frank E. Busiel, of the well-known 
concern of J. W. Busiel & Co., woolen 
hosiery manufacturers, is a native Laco- 
nian, born Oct. 31, 1852. the youngest 
son of the late John W. and Julia (Til- 
ton) Busiel. 

Frank E. Busiel was educated in the 
public schools of Laconia and at Gilford 
academy. His father was one of the 
pioneer hosiery manufacturers of this 
country, and after completing his edu- 
cation, Frank E. entered his father's 
factory to thoroughly learn the details of 
the industry. He worked several years 
as a second hand, and was then given 
charge of the knitting department of 
the factory, a position which he filled at 
the time of his father's death, in 1S72. 
He was then admitted to partnership in 
the concern, which still continues in 
business under the firm name of J. W. 
Busiel & Co. Mr. Busiel is a natural 
mechanic, and assumes the oversight of 
the entire mechanical department of the 
business. In politics Mr. Busiel is a 
Republican, and while he has no ambi- 




Residence of John T. Busiel. 

tion for political honors, he consented to 
serve as a member of the Laconia police 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



J 59 



commission, and has been chairman since 
its organization, in April. 1895. Under 
his direction the police department of 
Laconia has been thoroughly reorgan- 




Frank E. Busiel. 

ized and put upon a model metropolitan 
basis, and it is generally admitted that 
the police department of the city is 
to-day one of the best, most efficient, 
and most economically sustained 
of any in New Hampshire. On 
.Nov. 19, 1874, .Mr. Busiel mar- 
ried Hattie A. Sanborn, and he 
has two children. Grace and 
Edith, both residing at home. 



satinet cloth and knitting yarn. When 
he first came to Laconia, he continued 
this business in the old Bean mill, which 
then stood upon the site of the present 
dye-house of the J. W. liusiel Co. Dur- 
ing the great fire of the Strafford mill 
this old one-story wooden structure was 
partially burned, and in 1853 Mr. lius- 
iel purchased the land and water-power 
formerly used by the Strafford com- 
pany. On this site he erected the first 
of the buildings now used by |. \Y. 
liusiel & Co. He here added to his 
list of manufactures, Saxony and Ger- 
mantown yarns. At the Crystal Palace 
exhibition in London. Mr. liusiel re- 
ceived a gold medal for the best mix- 
ture of cotton and woolen varus. 

The invention of the circular ribbed 
knitting machine by Jonas and Walter 
Aiken in 1856 led Mr. liusiel to intro- 
duce the manufacture of Shaker socks 
and underwear. At the beginning of 
the Civil War, the mill started upon the 
production of army socks, and after the 
close of the war, the manufacture of the 
different varieties of hosiery became 
the sole product of the mill, and in this 
line the J. W. Busiel hosiery mills have 
achieved a national reputation in knit 
goods circles. Since the death of John 
W. liusiel in 1S72 the business has 




The Busiel & Co. Hosiery Mill. 

The J. W. liusiel & Co. hosiery 
mill is the largest industry in this 
line in the city of Laconia, and 
was founded by the late John W. 
Busiel in 1846. Previous to com- 
ing to Laconia, then Meredith 
Bridge, Mr. Busiel was engaged 
in business as a woolen manu- 
facturer at Meredith Village, card- 
ing woolen rolls for hand-spinning, and been continued and enlarged by the 
finishing the cloths which it was then three sons, Charles A., John T., and 
the custom for farmers' wives to weave. Frank E. The Busiel mills are the 
He also began there the manufacture of most substantial and modern structures 



Kesidi ace 1 il Prank E. Busiel. 



i6o 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



of the kind in this vicinity, are equipped 
with all the modern improvements and 
labor-saving devices, and employ the 
largest number of operatives when run- 
ning at their full capacity. The firm 
has a long-established reputation with 
the trade throughout the country for 
manufacturing a superior quality of 
hosiery, and some of the specialties of 
this concern have been very popular 
with the public and profitable to the 
manufacturers. 



Mass., to wind up the financial affairs 
of a dry goods house, and after remain- 
ing there one year came to Laconia in 
1862, and became associated with Al- 
bert G. Folsom in the clothing and dry 
goods and millinery trade, carrying on 
two stores, under the firm name of Fol- 
som & Smith. When the Folsom brick 
block was completed in February, 1863, 
the firm moved into the store now occu- 
pied by Patsey O'Shea and continued 
until 1S69, when Mr. P'olsom sold out 




The Busiel Hosiery Mili. 



Ex-Mayor Samuel B. Smith. 



Although now retired from mercan- 
tile pursuits, in which he was active for 
many years, ex-Mayor Samuel B. Smith 
is still prominent in financial, political, 
and real estate circles in Laconia, and is 
one of the largest owners of rental prop- 
erty in the city. 

He was born in West Newbury, 
Mass., May n, 1837, and was educated 
in the public schools of that town and 
at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. 
After completing his education in 1855 
he started to learn shoe manufacturing 
and worked five years as a cutter in this 
industry. He then went to Lawrence, 



his interest to Mr. Smith, who continued 
the business alone. In 1875 he took 
Messrs. Frank and Oscar Lougee into 
partnership, and soon afterwards the 
firm occupied the entire first floor of the 
whole block, carrying clothing, dry 
goods, carpets, boots and shoes, millin- 
ery and custom tailoring. In 1884 Mr. 
Smith commenced to withdraw from 
mercantile business, selling a part of 
the establishment to Lougee Bros., and 
later other departments to W. D. Micl- 
dleton, retaining the boot and shoe bus- 
iness for several years, but finally sell- 
ing this branch to Messrs. Donovan & 
Stoughton. 

Mr. Smith is a large real estate own- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



161 



er. Besides his handsome residence on 
Harvard street, he together with Mr. 
Folsom erected the substantial Smith 
block on Main street, built the rive 
tenement block on Beacon street, re- 
modeled the seven-tenement building 
on Hanover street, erected another 
large block for stores and tenements on 
Mill street, besides other work in the 
same line on a smaller scale. 

Mr. Smith is a director in the Peo- 
ple ' s National 
bank and a trus- 
tee in the La- 
conia Savings 
bank, being 
quite prominent 
in the manage- 
ment of both 
these i n s t i t u - 
tions. He has 
been a large 
stockholder and 
a leader in the 
management of 
the L ac o n i a 
Street railway 
most of the time 
since the road 
w a s construct- 
e d . It was 
largelv through 
Mr. 'Smith's 
efforts that La- 
conia's ad mi r- 
able system of 
sewerage w a s 
con structed , 
and he served 
as chair m a n 

of the construction committee in this 
great public improvement. He is a di- 
rector of the Winnipesaukee Gas and 
Electric Co., has been president of the 
Board of Trade, which was organized 
largely through his efforts, and he is 
also interested and active in numerous 
other local enterprises of a public na- 
ture. 

One of the recent public improve- 
ments which ex-Mayor Smith has taken 
a leading part in promoting, is the lay- 
ing-out and construction of the new 
boulevard from Lakeport to The Weirs, 
ii 




Largely through his efforts the city of 
Laconia was induced to build the high- 
way and he also arranged the deal by 
which the electric road was extended 
over this boulevard, which will be the 
pride of the city for many years to come. 
Mr. Smith has always been an active 
Republican, and represented Laconia in 
the legislature of iSSS-'Sq. He was 
elected the second mayor of the city of 
Laconia, in 1895, and was re-elected in 
1S96, devoting 
h i s v a 1 u a b 1 e 
k n o w 1 e d ge of 
financial matters 
to public affairs 
during his two 
years of service, 
with good re- 
sults. Mr. Smith 
married A d a . 
d a ug h t e r of 
Hon. A. G. Fol- 
som, and they 
have three chil- 
dren : Katherine 
( Hive, wife o f 
Harry S. Chase. 
James S., con- 
nected with the 
People's Nation- 
al bank, and 
Louise C, who 
resides with her 
parents on Har- 
vard street. 



Ex-Mayor Samuel B. Smith. 



The Late 
Stephen Perley. 



The city of Laconia owes to the 
Perley family many of its important 
enterprises, and the late Stephen Perley 
was the father of the industrial life in 
this place. He was born in Ipswich, 
Mass., Oct. 7, 1770, a son of Allen 
Perley. The Perley family is said to 
have had its origin in Wales, and Allen 
Perley (first) came to Massachusetts 
from England in 1630, and settled in 
Ipswich. 

Stephen Perley obtained his educa- 
tion in the public schools of Ipswich, 
and then worked for a time in a store 



62 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



in Salem, Mass. He came to Laconia 
when still a young man, and was one of 
the first settlers, and for many years 
was, perhaps, the most important citi- 
zen in town. At one time he owned 
most of the land on which the city 
stands to-day. He was a large farmer, 
raising some years six hundred bushels 
of corn. He managed a general store, 
which was the centre of trade, not only 
for the village, but for those in the 



shops, and which furnishes power, 
to-day, for a portion of the car indus- 
try. He was a man of great enterprise 
and foresight, and many of his plans 
have been adopted and carried out by 
the wise men of to-day. 

Mr. Perley was a Jeffersonian Demo- 
crat, and quite active in politics. He 
was one of the electors for Van Buren, 
a representative in the state legislature, 
and was postmaster here for thirty years. 





y^V 










■fte*** .«*£** 










1 •" »*. 










\ £ _ 




Hft >£ 


J^M, 




^ " i 




H& v? 




A 






























BKtf^jfl 


jal 


A 


M 





The late Stephen Perley. 



entire farming country around. He 
had a number of sawmills, where he 
converted the lumber into marketable 
shape from the lands which he cleared. 
As the town increased, he established a 
nail factory, a starch factory, a cotton 
factory, and a linseed oil mill. The 
cotton mill was subsequently sold to 
Daniel Avery. Mr. Perley dug the 
present Perley canal, which connects 
the Winnipesaukee river, near Church 
street, with the same river near the car 



He was a strong Universalist, and 
his house was always a home for minis- 
ters of his faith. He invited such men 
as Rev. Father Ballou of Boston, Rev. 
Messrs. Sebastian and Russel Streeter, 
to come to this place and preach, and 
in this way he was instrumental in 
forming what was for many years a 
strong and zealous Universalist society, 
which erected the church building on 
Union avenue now occupied by the 
Methodists. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



163 



Mr. Perley married twice. His first 
wife, Abigail, died young, leaving one 
daughter. Sarah, who married Dr. John 
Durkee of this place, a prominent phy- 
sician at that time. His second mar- 
riage was with Mehitable, daughter of 
Colonel Samuel Ladd, who was one of 



months. Mr. Perley died April 13, 
1 S 5 5 , at the ripe old age of eighty-four 
years and six months, leaving four chil- 
dren : John Langdon, Louisa, Abigail, 
and Martha Maria. A resident of the 
town for sixty years, he was a most essen- 
tial factor in its growth and prosperity. 




s 




The late John L. Perley. 



the first settlers, and a prominent citi- 
zen of Gilmanton, now Belmont. He 
was a large landowner, and Ladd Hill 
was named for his family. Mrs. Me- 
hitable Perley was a most worthy, chari- 
table woman, and an exemplary wife 
and mother. She died October 25, 
1834, aged fifty-one years and six 



The Late John L. Perley. 



One of the most prominent and best 
known men of Meredith Bridge and 
Laconia in its early days was Dr. John 
Langdon Perley, who was, in fact, one 
of the leading men in this part of New 
Hampshire in financial and political 



164 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



matters, in the early years of the present 
century. 

He was born in Laconia, then Mere- 
dith Bridge, June 10, 1805, the son of 
Stephen and Mehitable (Ladd) Perley. 
His father was a very prominent man 
in the early history of this community, 
and the Ladd family, of which his 
mother was a member, figured exten- 
sively in the settlement and develop- 
ment of Laconia. 



unsettled country, returned to Laconia 
with renewed interest in its welfare. 

He was for many years extensively 
engaged in farming and the manufac- 
ture of lumber, owning a large extent of 
woodland in this section. At East Til- 
ton he owned a sawmill, grist-mill, and 
valuable water privilege, but this prop- 
erty he finally sold. 

Dr. Perley was much interested in 
banking, and was one of the incorpo- 




The late Lieut. John L. Perley, Jr. 



John L. Perley studied medicine with 
Dr. Durkee, one of the first practitioners 
at Meredith Bridge, and graduated 
M. D. from Bowdoin college, Bruns- 
wick, Me., in 1829. He engaged in 
the practice of his profession until 
about forty years of age, and then 
retired to give more attention to other 
matters in which he became interested. 
He went West in 1837, but after spend- 
ing some time in that then lawless and 



rators of the Meredith Bridge Savings 
bank, a member of its board of trustees, 
and its president for some time. He 
was also one of the incorporators of 
the Belknap Savings bank, and its 
president until about ten years pre- 
vious to his death, when he resigned. 

He was a member of the old Whig 
party, and was appointed postmaster of 
Meredith Bridge during President John 
Quincy Adams's administration in 1S29. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



165 



He was appointed by Gov. Benjamin 
Pierce, surgeon of the Twenty-ninth 
regiment of New Hampshire militia, in 
1S29. In 1834 he was elected to the 
state legislature, and distinguished him- 
self as a champion of the people's 
rights. He introduced and secured the 
passage of the bill reducing the salary 
of the governor of New Hampshire 
from two thousand to one thousand 
dollars, on the ground that the honor of 



gusta Perley, wife of Jacob Sanborn ; 
Mary A. Perley, who married Josiah T. 
Sturtevant; Lewis S. Perley, who re- 
sides upon the ancestral farm to-day ; 
and Clara E. Perley. who married I >r. 
A. L. Norris, and resides at Cambridge- 
port, Mass. 

I >r. Perley was one of the strong men 
of early Laconia, a man of excellent 
judgment, strict integrity, and much 
financial sagacity. 




Lewis 5> I ; trlt> . 



being governor of the state should sat- 
isfy the chief executive, and that the 
salary should be merely nominal. 

He was twice married, first to Mary 
A. Eastman, of Eranklin, N. H. His 
second wife was Dora P. Kandlett. of 
Gilmanton, N. H., and this union was 
blessed with five children : John L. 
Perley, Jr.. who died from the exposure 
of his military service in [862 ; I). Au- 



The Late Lieut. John L. Perley, J". 



The late Lieutenant John L. Perley, 
|r.. in whose honor the Laconia Post of 
the Grand Army of the Republic is 
named, was a native of Laconia, bom 
at Meredith Bridge, Dec. 10. 1859, the 
eldest son of John L. and Dora (Rand- 
lett) Perley. He was educated in the 
public schools of this town, and com. 



i66 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



pleted his education at Gilford academy, 
New Hampton Institution and the Law- 
rence Scientific school, Cambridge, Mass. 
After completing his education, he 
commenced to study 
law, with the intention 
of adopting this pro- 
fession in life, but on 
the breaking out of 
the Civil War, he laid 
aside his books and 
enlisted, August, 1S61, 
in Troop M, New Eng- 
land cavalry, and the 
following No vember 
was promoted to the 
rank of second lieuten- 
ant. He was taken ill 
in May, 1862, and re- 
turned home, and died 
shortly after from the 
effects of exposure 
during his mil i tar}' 
service, at the age of 
twenty-two years. 



also engages quite extensively in lum- 
bering and clearing wood lots. He is 
a Republican in politics, and a liberal 
in religion. He is a member of Winni- 
piseogee lodge, No. 7, 
L O. O. F. At the 
present time, Mr. Per- 
ley is a member of the 
Laconia board of city 
assessors, elected by 
the city council in 
March of the present 
year. 

In t888 he was unit- 
ed in marriage with 
Clara L. Knowlton of 
Meredith. They have 
two children, Lew K., 
and Marion Louise. 




Charles F. Richards. 



Charles F. Richard 



Lewis S, Perley. 



Lewis S. Perley, son of the late John 
L. Perley and Dora (Randlett) Perley, 
was born in Laconia, August 22, 1845. 
He was edu- 



Charles Francis Rich- 
ards, member of the 
Laconia city c o u n c i 1 
from Ward 2, was born 
in Lebanon, Me., Nov. 11, 1S50. He 
was educated in his native town, and in 
Rochester, N. H. In 1S79, he started 
in the planing mill and box business 
with his brother, Geo. O. Richards, at 

East Roches- 



cated in the ter. Mr. Rich- 
public schools A ards came to 
in this town, -'a Laconia in 
and then at- :\ April, 1883, 
tended Gilford ,.r* ^» and has been 
academy, af- » > ■ ' e m p 1 oyed in 
terwards tak- ^J : i WT^k 4 the several 
ing a course of P# B j£"' v \ - "A wood-work- 
special study ^r^^^P^^^ 1 \ , ing establish- 
in Boston, and ~f r PL L3 "^T - r ^ ments, and 
completed his ^^^^ j| ! H ■ jJJ 1 1 ] -i ^" > also as a con- 
educational HBglL^^r^. - t— ~l I tractor and 

training at fef; ^ Wil I* jZl ~] [ ] J5l i^^ builder - 

Professor Hy- ||| II | A I J JUW \ ' M, He held the 

att's academy ~^|L - •■;- -— - _— . .^_ ^'f 1 1 WMJ1IU " ffice of tr ' al 

VI 1 Pei ***^Bn HS ■ county,Maine, 

ley is a civil IBM*** »-,.,. ^^^^^™^^^S! HB from 1S79 to 

engineer bv v ■, c /-n. 1 u «• i.„ a 1883. He 

& v, v. uj Residence of Charles F. Richards. ° 

profession, served as se- 
but has devoted much of his time to lectman in Ward 2 of Laconia, and was 

managing the large Perley farm, and elected to the city council in 1896, and 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



167 



reeelected in 1898, being a member of 
the present city government. 

Mr. Richards is a member of C'o- 
checo lodge, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and also of Laconia 
encampment, I. (). ( ). F. He is also a 
member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and a director of the Laconia 
Building and Loan Association. 

Mr. Richards married Etta Maria 
Morton, of South Xorridgewock, Me., 
June 1, 1 88 1, and they reside in their 
comfortable and handsome home on 
Gilford avenue. 
Mr. Richards is 
an attendant at 
the Congrega- 
tional church, 
and one of the 
reliable citizens 
of his adopted 
city. 



published poems have been widely 
copied and circulated. He is a good 
French scholar, and speaks, reads, and 
writes that language with ease and flu- 
ency. He is a Democrat in politics, was 
county solicitor from 189] to [893, and 
was chairman of the Democratic city 
committee, this city, in 1896 --'97. He 
is a charter member of Winnesquam 
colony, No. 14. U. 0. P. I'., and a mem- 
ber of Pontahum tribe. No. 18, Red 
Men. of Laconia. Resides a father and 
brother already mentioned, Mr. Peaslee 
has one sister. 
Mrs. Jennie ( '. 
Johnson, form- 
erly of Lake- 
port, who now 
resides in Low- 
ell. Mass. 



W. S. Peaslee. 




The 

Late Joseph S. 

Tilton. 



W a 1 1 e r S . 
Peaslee was 
born inWilmot, 
N. H.,Nov. 14. 
1854. His pa- 
rents were Geo. 
YY. and Caro- 
line T. (Bur- 
bank) Peaslee. 
He received 
his education 
in the p ubl i c 
schools of this 
state a n d a t 
Colby acade- 
my. New Lon- 
don, and at the Symonds High school, 
YVolfeborough, where his father and one 
brother. Eugene L. Peaslee. now reside. 
He taught in the public schools of this 
county for five years, and was for two 
years teacher of the old South Grammar 
school, in this city. He studied law 
with Col. Thomas J. Whipple, was ad- 
mitted to the bar at the July law term, 
1885, and has since practised his pro- 
fession in Laconia. He has found time 
to cultivate the literary side of his pro- 
fession to some extent, and many of his 



Walter S. Peaslee. 



The late Jo- 
seph Sullivan 
Tilton. one of 
the pioneers of 
the hosiery in- 
dustry in this 
city, was a na- 
tive of Loudon, 
X. H.. born on 
June 13. 1S18, 
the son of Ste- 
phen and Julia 
( B a c h e 1 d e r > 
Tilton. His pa- 
rents removed 
to Mere dith, 
where the early years of his life were 
passed, mostly on the farm. His edu- 
cation was acquired in the public 
schools, and was very thorough. Mr. 
TiltOI) was one of the early pioneers ol 
California, moving there with his family 
soon after the discovery iA gold. He 
located in San Francisco, and followed 
the business of a dairyman, also taking 
an active part in the politics of the rap- 
idly-growing city. During the troubles 
with the turbulent and law-breaking ele- 
ment. Mr. Tilton was an officer of the 



i68 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



famous Vigilants, and saw much service 
in those clays of riot and trouble. In 
1857 he returned to New Hampshire, 
and, locating in Laconia, commenced 
the manufacture of hosiery in 1859, in 
a mill which stood where now stands 
the dye-house of J. W. Busiel & Co. 
In 1862 Mr. Tilton suspended business 
at his mill to assist in raising the 
Twelfth regiment of New Hampshire 
Volunteers for the Civil War, and he 
went into the service as first lieutenant 



risen to high command, for he had, in 
an eminent degree, the dash and cour- 
age which go far to make the success- 
ful soldier. His record in the army 
was above reproach, courageous, and 
unflinching to a fault. In camp, or on 
the battlefield, he was ever the same 
bright, active, intelligent soldier, — one 
to whom his men could always look 
with strong confidence, and from whom 
they always received kind and just 
treatment. Lieutenant Tilton was one 




The late Joseph S. Tilton. 



of the Laconia company. At the battle 
of Chancellorsville, while in command 
of his company, he was badly wounded. 
For some time after receiving his 
wound he remained with his command, 
but loss of blood finally obliged him to 
leave the field. After a season in the 
hospital, he was returned to New 
Hampshire, and finally was obliged to 
resign on account of disability. But 
for the unfortunate wound at Chancel- 
lorsville, Lieutenant Tilton must have 



of the original members of John L. Per- 
ley, Jr., post, G. A. R., of this city. 

When his health was sufficiently re- 
covered, Mr. Tilton again resumed the 
hosiery business, retiring in 1877. and 
he died, Nov. G, 1879, at tne a § e °^ 
sixty-one years. He was of a warm- 
hearted and kind, though impulsive and 
impetuous, nature, and was a man of 
most profound and sincere convictions. 
He was frank and outspoken in his 
opinions on all subjects, and when once 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



169 



his mind was made up was never slow 
to act. 

Mr. Tilton married Betsey Ham. Feb. 
5, 1S42, and they had four children : 
George Henry. Frank S., Emma Susan, 
who married Horace W. Gorrell, and 
died, April 20. 1890, and Nancy A., who 
married C. W.Gilman, of Emporia. Kan. 



George Henry Tilton. 



Geor<re Henry Tilton, the well-known 



of Volunteers, and served for three 
years. 

In the employ of his father, he 
learned the details of the hosiery manu- 
facturing industry, which business he. 
for many years, carried on in Laconia. 
In [89] he purchased the mills known 
as the Jeremiah Tilton mills at Tilton. 
which he with his son, Elmer S. Tilton. 
are running at the present time very 
successful!}', producing hosiery in large 
quantities, and employing several hun- 




George Henry Tilton. 



hosiery manufacturer of Laconia, was 
born in Dorchester, N. II., May 13. 
1845, son of Joseph Sullivan and Betsey 
(Ham) Tilton. His early life was passed 
in California, returning with his parents 
to New Hampshire in 1857. Mr. Til- 
ton was educated in the public schools 
and at Gilford academy. 

When the Civil War broke out, in 
1861, young Tilton enlisted Sept. 14, 
in the Laconia company (Company D), 
of the Fourth New Hampshire Regiment 



dred hands. Mr. Tilton also has large 
manufacturing interests in the South. 

Within a few weeks Mr. Tilton has 
leased the large brick mill on Mill street 
in Laconia. owned by the Belknap Mills 
corporation, and has purchased most oi 
the hosiery machinery formerly owned 
and operated by the Hodgson & Holt 
Manufacturing Co. This industry was 
originally equipped at an expense of 
about #75,000, and the mill has a capa- 
city of six hundred do/en hosier}' per 



170 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



day, employing nearly two hundred 
operatives. When purchased by Mr. 
Tilton this industry had been suspended 
for several months, but under his man- 
agement operations were at once re- 
sumed, and the mill is now run in con- 
nection with the mills at Tilton and in 
the South. As this hosiery industry is 
one of the largest in the city, the re- 
sumption of business under Mr. Tilton's 
management is a matter of no little 
importance to the welfare of Laconia. 

Although of late years, until recently, 
devoting most 
of his time to 
the hosiery 
business at Til- 
ton and in the 
South, Mr. Til- 
ton has retained 
his residence in 
Laconia. 

He is still a 
resident of La- 
conia, never 
having lost his 
interest in this 
town, which has 
been his home 
for more than 
forty years, and 
which he repre- 
sented in the 
legislature in 
1891 and 1892. 

Mr. Tilton is 
a member of 
the New Hamp- 
shire Society of 
Colonial Wars, 
of John L. Per- 
ley, Jr., post, No. 37, G. A. R., of the 
New England Society of California Pio- 
neers, and of the Masonic fraternities, 
as follows : Mt. Lebanon lodge, A. F. 
& A. M., Union chapter, Pythagorean 
council, and Pilgrim Commandery, K. 
T., also a thirty-second degree Mason, 
being a member of Edward A. Raymond 
Consistory of Nashua, N. H. 

He was married at Laconia, June 19, 
1866, to Marietta, daughter of Osgood 
and Mary (Lamprey) Randlett of Upper 
Gilmanton, now Belmont, who died Au- 



gust 15, 1874, leaving one son, Elmer 
S. Tilton. He married the second time, 
April 11, 1883, in Columbia, S. C, Ca- 
lista E. Brown, daughter of David and 
Hannah (Fox) Brown of Sanbornton. 



Elmer S. Tilton. 




Elmer 15. Tilton. 



Elmer Stephen Tilton, who is asso- 
ciated with his father in the manufac- 
ture of hosiery in Tilton, is a native 
Laconian, born Oct. n, 1869, the son 
of George Henry and Marietta (Rand- 
lett)Tilton. He 
was educated 
in the public 
schools of this 
city, and grad- 
uated from the 
Laconia High 
school in the 
class of '87. 
A 1 1 h o u gh en- 
gaged in the 
management of 
the hosiery in- 
dustry in Til- 
ton, he resides 
in Laconia. In 
politics Mr. 
Tilton a f f i li- 
ates with the 
Repub 1 i c a n s , 
and he repre- 
sented Ward 3 
in the New 
Hampshire leg- 
islature during 
1897-98. 

In 1892 he 

was united in 

G.j daughter of 

Mr. and 

Charles 



marriage with Lillian 
E. B. Harrington of Laconia. 
Mrs. Tilton have two sons 
Henry and Elmer Harrington. 

Fraternally, Mr. Tilton is a member 
of the various Masonic fraternities, and 
of Mt. Belknap lodge, No. 20, Knights 
of Pythias. He is a past master of 
Mt. Lebanon lodge, No. 32, A. F. and 
A. M., and eminent commander of Pil- 
grim commandery, Knights Templar. 
Mr. Tilton is a thirty-second degree 
Mason, being a member of Edward A. 



TH E ILLUSTRATED LACON I A N 



171 



Raymond Consistory of Nashua. X. H., then entered his 
and also a member of Aleppo Temple, traveling salesman 
Mystic Shrine, of 
Boston, Mass. 



Harry S. Chase. 



Harry S u m n e r 
Chase was born in 
New Hampton,N.H., 
July 17, 1S59, son of 
John B. and Sarah 
A. (Marston) Chase. 
He received his edu- 
cation in the public 
schools and at New 
Hampton Lit er ar y 
Institution, where he 
graduated in the com- 
mercial course in the 
class of '82. 

Mr. Chase came 
to Laconia when 
about twenty-f our 
years old, and en- 
tered the employ of 
O'Shea Brothers, as clerk, remaining with 
this firm about three years. He then 




Harry S. Chase. 



He is a Democrat, 
he is a member of 



present position as 
for Wise & ( 1 >oper, 
of Auburn, Me., 
shoe manufacturers, 
covering the princi- 
pal cities in New 
England for this con- 
cern. 

M r . Chase w a s 
married in 1895 to 
Miss Katherine Olive 
S m it h, daughter of 
Samuel B. and Ada 
(Folsom ) Smith. 
They have a little 
daughter, Olive Lou- 
ise, born April 22, 
1899. Mr. Chase 
located here for a 
permanent residence 
in 1895, and resides 
in an elegant home 
on Harvard street. 

Mr. Chase is an 
attendant at the Con- 
gregational church, 
and in secret orders 
Mt. Lebanon lodge. 




Residence of Harry S. Chase 



went to Boston, where he had charge of A. I'. & A. M.. Union chapter, and of 
a shoe store for about three years, and Pilgrim Commandery, Knights Templar. 



it : 



& 



/rrr 





t - 



M 



' 



r 

r . / 



r 



l ■ 


El & 


m\ 


■ESL'&J 


m i 






V'» ' 






• , 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



*73 



Lougee Brothers. 



Almost from the date of the building 
of the old Province road from Ports- 
mouth to Canada over a century ago, 
first Meredith Bridge and then Laconia 
has been recognized as a trading centre 
for nearly all the necessities of life. 
That the city on the lakes is an impor- 
tant trade centre to-day is amply dem- 
onstrated by the fact that it boasts of 
several mercantile establishments which 
are among the largest in their line in 
New Hampshire. During the past twenty 
years no retail establishment in the 
Granite state has had a wider reputation 
than the dry goods, clothing, carpet, and 
furniture store of Lougee Bros., of La- 
conia. Although a comparatively young 
concern, the firm of Lougee Bros, has 
always done an immense amount of 
business, and has handled many thou- 
sands of dollars worth of goods every 
year. 

The firm started in the store in Fol- 
som block, now occupied by Baker 
Shannon, in 1S77. This store was per- 
haps one-tenth the size of their present 
establishment in Smith block. Frank H. 
and Oscar A. Lougee were at that time 
the junior members of the firm of Smith. 
Lougee Bros. & Co. This firm was dis- 
solved in 1885. 

Taking in Orman T. Lougee as a 
partner at this time, the firm of Lougee 
Bros, was formed, and they at first con- 
fined their business to their original 
quarters, where the bakery now is. Their 
business increased very rapidly, and the 
necessity of larger and more convenient 
quarters was soon apparent. In 1886 
the Smith brick block was built, and 
Lougee Bros, moved into what is now 
their dry goods department. The rapid 
increase of their business and enlarging 
of their stock in trade is shown by the 
fact that they now occupy the entire 
first floor and basement of the Smith 
block, besides a large two-story wooden 
addition in the rear of the Smith block 
and connected therewith, giving them 
nearly thirty thousand square feet of 
floor space, or about ten times the space 
required in 1886. 



At first the linn carried only dry 
goods and carpets, but from time to 
time other departments have been added 

to meet the public demands, and to-day 
the concern handles dry and fancy 
goods, garments, ready-made clothing, 
carpets, furniture, stoves, bicycles, cur- 
tains and window shades, hoots and 
shoes, men's furnishings, underwear oi 
all kinds, and, in fact, everything which 
can be found in a large department store 
in any of the large cities of the United 
States. 

The firm of Lougee Bros, is a pro- 
gressive one. as their success indicates. 
They were the first to put in a pneu- 
matic cash carrier, and they have always 
been liberal advertisers, not only in this 
city but throughout the entire northern 
portion of New Hampshire, in their 
efforts to draw trade to Laconia. 

The Lougee Bros, personally are in- 
fluential and public-spirited citizens. 
They are not only promptly interested, 
but always ready to assisl by contrib- 
uting their time and money to any at- 
tempt to locate new industries, or to 
inaugurate any movement to help build 
up Laconia. They are shrewd buyers, 
upright and honorable merchants, and 
they hold the strict confidence of the 
entire community. Their establishment 
furnishes employment to a large num- 
ber of clerks, and by purchasing their 
goods in large quantities they are en- 
abled to retail their stock at lower prii es 
than can be obtained in many of the 
larger cities of New England, — a fact 
which is generally admitted by those 
in a position to know, and a fact which 
frequently causes surprise to summer 
visitors who come here from Boston and 
New York, and are astonished to find 
that they can purchase dry goods and 
other wares in this line fully as cheaply 
here " in the country " as they can at 
home. 

Frank H. Lougee, the senior member 
of Lougee Bros., was educated in the 
public schools, supplemented by a leu 
terms at Gilford academy and one term 
at Tilton seminary. He was employed 
for a year with White Mountain b< 
Cream Freezer Co., but in 1870 he en- 



J 74 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



tered the employ of S. B. Smith to learn 
the dry goods, clothing, and carpet busi- 
ness, and has continued successfully in 
this line from that date, with the excep- 
tion of about two 
years, when he took 
a commercial course 
at Comer's Commer- 
cial college, at Los- 
ton, and was sales- 
m an at J o r d a n , 
Marsh & Co.'s for 
about a year and a 
half. 

Since 1S90 Mr. 
Lougee has given 
much attention not 
only to the Laconia 
store but to the Lou- 
gee Bros. & Smythe 
store, which was 
opened at St. Johns- 
bury. Vt., and has 
also proved very suc- 
cessful. 

In public life Mr. 
Lougee has served 
as president of the 
Laconia board of trade for one or two 
years, and was also a member of the 




but found time to serve a term as a 
member of the Laconia city council, 
where he proved himself a valuable 
member, and just the kind of citizen 
who is needed in 
such a body. 



Hotel Picard. 



Frank H. Lougee. 



Hotel Picard is the 
new name of the well 
known hostelry on 
Pleasant street, for 
many years known 
as the Kirtland 
House, and more re- 
cently as the Victo- 
ria Hotel. The en- 
tire estab 1 i s h m e n t 
has been thoroughly 
repaired, remodeled, 
and newly furnished 
by the new proprie- 
tor, Mr. George Pi- 
card, and is now as 
neat, clean, hand- 
some, a n d comfort- 



able as could be de- 
sired. The location of Hotel Picard, at 
28 Pleasant street, makes this hotel very 
board of education for two years. He is desirable, as it is convenient to the bus- 



a director in 
t h e People's 
National bank, 
and a trustee 
in the Laco- 
nia S a v i n g s 
bank. He has 
always been 
especially 
prominent i n 
the board of 
trade, and has 
ta ke n an ac- 
tive p art i n 
every effort of 
this organiza- 
tion to pro 
mote the wel- 
fare of the 
city. 

Oscar A. 



mess portion 
of the city, 
and close by 
the rai 1 r o a d 
station, the 
telegraph and 
the telephone 
offices, electric 
cars, etc. Un- 
der the man- 
agement of 
Landlord Pic- 
ard the guests 
will be sure 
of exc e 1 1 e n t 
food, comfort- 
able beds, and 
all the conve- 
niences of a 
first-class 
hotel. 

Lougee has devoted himself more close- George Picard, the landlord and pro- 

ly to the business of the establishment, prietor of Hotel Picard, was born at 




Residence of Frank H. Lougee. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



*75 



St. Charles, P. Q., Aug. 20, i860. He 
was educated in the common schools, 
and was in Quebec for five years. Ik- 
came to Laconia in 1880, and was cm- 
ployed in some of our hosiery mills for 
three years, and thru engaged in the 
confectionery and cigar business on 
Mill street. Later he added dining- 
rooms to the business, and has been 
very successful as caterer. In 1897 
Mr. Picard removed his business to 159 
Main street. 

He was married in 1883 to Miss 



place in his early manhood in 1830, 
entering into the employ of the Gilford 
Manufacturing and Mechanic Com- 
pany, at their store, then known as the 
"Company Store." but now called the 
"Old Corner Store," situated on the 
corner of Main and Court streets. 

The Gilford Manufacturing and Me- 
chanic Co., chartered in 1828, owned 
all of the water power on the south, or 
Gilford, side of the river, and were then 
operating a sawmill and a grist-mill, 
located near the dam. about where the 




Hotel Picard. 



Emma Morin, and they have three chil- 
dren. In secret fraternities Mr. Picard 
is a member of the Catholic Order of 
Foresters, and also of the Foresters of 
America and the Improved Order of 
Red Men. He is an attendant at Church 
of the Sacred Heart, and a member of 
the Society St. Jean the Baptiste. 



The Late Woodbury Melcher. 



The history of " Meredith Bridge " 
would be incomplete without mention of 
Woodbury Melcher. He came to the 



Hodgson machine shop now stands. 
They afterwards built a new grist-mill 
and a machine shop further down the 
river. They contemplated the erection 
of a mill for the manufacture of cloth, 
and recognizing in Mr. Melcher business 
qualifications which they believed would 
be of advantage to them in their future 
operations, the proprietors proposed to 
him to take an interest with them, and 
become their managing agent. He ac- 
cepted the proposition, and thus became 
associated with some of the leading men 
of the growing village. Amos Smith. 



176 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Charles Morgan, Alvah Tucker, Thomas 
Babb, James Mollineaux, Stephen K. 
Baldwin, and John T. Coffin, his asso- 
ciates, are names which are still familiar 
to the older citizens of Laconia. The 
mill was built, and is the same now 
owned and operated by the Pitman 
Manufacturing Co. The company en- 
gaged in the manufacture of tickings, 
making a superior grade of goods, 
which became almost world-renowned, 
a considerable part of the production 
being exported. This company had a 
long, honorable, 
a n d successful 
career. As one 
and another of 
the owners, for 
various reasons, 
disposed of 
their stock, Mr. 
Melcher was 
always ready to 
buy, until at last 
he became own- 
er of the entire 
property. H e 
built the brick 
buildi ng now 
known as the 
Gilford Hosiery 
Co. mill. It be- 
ing comple ted 
about the time 
the Civil War 
broke out, with 
characte r i s t i c 
foresight he de- 
termined to go 
into the manu- 
facture of army 



for a while connected with its manage- 
ment. He was always adverse to hold- 
ing public office, and save the represent- 
ing of his town in the legislature for 
two years and the accepting of an 
appointment as a trustee of the asylum 
for the insane, he declined to contest 
for political honors. He died Nov. 10, 
1870, lamented by the entire community. 



Woodbury L. Melcher. 




The late Woodbury Melcher. 



Woodbury L. Melcher was born Oct. 
7, 1 S3 2, in the 
house on Main 
street next be- 
low the "old 
corner store," 
and has always 
resided wi thin 
almost a stone's 
throw of the 
place of his 
birth. He was 
fitted for c o 1 - 
lege at Gilford 
academy, which 
was then in a 
very flourishing 
condition under 
the instruction 
of Prof. Ben j . 
F. Stanton, and 
w a s graduated 
from Bowdoin 
college in 1856. 
After teaching 
elsewhere a 
short time, he 
was elected the 
principal of Gil- 



goods. The mill was speedily equipped ford academy, where he taught for two 

with hosiery machinery, and during the years. But not intending to make 

whole war it was run almost constantly, teaching a profession, he entered as a 

day and night, in the manufacture of hos- student the law-office of Hon. E. A. 

iery for the soldiers. This was the begin- Hibbard, and was admitted to the bar 



ning of the hosiery industry in Laconia. 
He was for many years a trustee of 
the Meredith Bridge Savings bank, now 
the Laconia Savings bank, and at the 
time of his death was its president. He 



in 1S62. Mr. Melcher still retains his 
connection with the Belknap County 
bar, although not now in active prac- 
tice. In 186 1 he was appointed register 
of probate and held the office for ten 



was an earnest advocate and worker in years, when he felt compelled to resign 
connection with the building of the Bos- on account of the pressure of other 
ton, Concord & Montreal railroad, and business. In 1864 he was elected treas- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



77 



urer of the Laconia Savings bank, which 
position he held for twenty-one years, 
when, feeling the necessity for a more 
active, outdoor life, he resigned. He 
then engaged extensively in the insur- 
ance business and was the founder of 
the Melcher & Prescott Agency, now 
one of the largest insurance agencies in 
the state. He did not, however, give 
up his interest in the savings bank. 
Being elected one of its trustees, he has 
been intimately connected with its man- 
agement ever since. For a few years 
he was a direct- 
or and vice- 
president of the 
Laconia N a- 
tional bank. He 
was a member 
of the constitu- 
t i o n a 1 con- 
vention of 1889. 
Mr. Melcher 
has always been 
i n t e r e sted in 
promoting the 
material inter- 
ests of Laconia. 
He drew the 
original charter 
for the street 
railway and as- 
sisted in procur- 
ing its passage 
through the leg- 
i slat ure. He 
aided material- 
ly in procuring 
subscription s 
for stock, and 
was the first 

treasurer of the corporation. In these 
days of electrics it is interesting to 
note some of the rebuffs he met with, 
being laughed at for being so sanguine, 
and told that " the income would not 
pay for the oats which the horses would 
eat." "the rails would rust out before 
they would wear out," and many other 
similar remarks. He was also largely 
interested in establishing the Laconia 
water-works, another enterprise which 
was looked upon by many as a doubt- 
ful investment. He, however, showed 




Wuodburv L. Melcher 



his faith in it by a larger subscription 
to its stock than that of any other indi- 
vidual. He became one of the first 
board of directors, and since the death 
of the Hon. John C. Moulton has been 
its president. He was interested in 
organizing the Laconia Hospital Asso- 
ciation, and was elected its first presi- 
dent, which position he still holds. For 
a long series of years Mr. Melcher was 
connected in an official capacity with 
the public schools, being a member of 
the school committee when his district 
was annexed to 
Laconia. and a 
member of its 
board of edu- 
cation a f ter- 
wards. until. 
feeling that he 
had done h i s 
whole duty in 
this respect, he 
declined further 
service. For 
eleven years he 
was pres i d e n t 
of the board of 
education. 

Although re- 
cently circ u m - 
stances have 
compelled h i 111 
to be away from 
home during a 
cons iderab 1 e 
portion of each 
year, he is still 
proud of his 
birthplace and 
deeply interest- 
ed in everything tending to its progress. 



The Late Rev. A. D. Smith. 



The late Rev. Alpheus I). Smith, 
who died at Canterbury, N. H., Feb. 
9, 1886, was pastor of the Free Baptist 
church in Laconia from July, 1857. to 
the spring of 1873, and was one of the 
most forcible preachers and strongest 
Christian characters who ever officiated 
in this city. 

He was born in Lebanon, N. H., 



i 7 8 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Aug. 25, 1813, but was brought up in 
Vermont, where he was "bound out" 
until he was twenty-one. He became 
converted at the age of seventeen, and 
felt called to hold meetings and preach. 



bury. He is survived by one daughter, 
Mrs. Josie Sanders of Laconia. 




The late Rev. A. D. Smith. 

As soon as he was of legal age to act 
for himself he became an itinerant 
preacher, and traveled nearly all over 
the state of Vermont, visited various 
towns in Maine and New Hampshire, 
holding revival services and meeting 
with great success. On the second 
Sunday in July, 1857, he commenced 
his labors in Laconia at the Free Bap- 
tist church, and remained here four 
years, gathered a large congregation, 
and saw a glorious work of grace. He 
then went to East Tilton and did excel- 
lent work there, and came back to 
Laconia at the end of three years, re- 
maining here until 1873. He died at 
Canterbury, Feb. 9, 1886, in the 
seventy-third year of his life. 

Rev. Mr. Smith's preaching was 
largely emotional, intensely interesting 
and convicting, thoroughly evangelical. 
Few men saw so great immediate 
results of labor as he did, and many 
will rise up and call him blessed. 

He was twice married, his first wife 
who died Oct. 10, 1872, being Emily 
B. True of Corinth, Vt. Jan. 14, 1874, 
he married Mary E. Clough of Canter- 



The Late Samuel W. Sanders. 

The late Samuel W. Sanders was one 
of the marked characters of Laconia, 
so few of whom now remain, one of 
the sturdy, wide-awake, pushing citi- 
zens of the old times, who believed in 
Laconia and worked for the advance- 
ment and prosperity of the town in 
every way. 

He was a native of Mason, N. H., 
and learned the tinsmith trade. He 
came here in 1841 and embarked in 
business with no capital, but built up a 
successful business, and at the time of 
his retirement from trade, about six 
years before his death, was one of the 
oldest merchants on the street. His 
establishment was burned in 1846, and 
again in the big fire of i860, and the 
present Sanders brick block on Main 
street was erected by the subject of 
this sketch after the last conflagration. 




The late Samuel W. Sanders. 

He was an ardent Republican, took an 
active part in the setting off of Laconia 
from Meredith, and was one of the first 
selectmen of the new town. He was 
twice married. His first wife was 
Serena Ranlet, who died in 1871. 
His second wife, Mrs. Josephine E. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



179 



Prescott, daughter of the late Rev. 
A. 1). Smith, survives, together with 
two sons, J. Warren, of St. Louis, and 
Charles F., of San Francisco. Another 
son, the late Col. George A. Sanders, 
died in 1898. 

Mr. Sanders died Jan. 16, 1S92, and 
his death removed a good and valuable 
citizen, one of the solid, substantial 
men of the town. 



Hampshire. Mr. Tilton was a leader 
in financial circles in Laconia, was vice- 
president of the People's National bank, 
and a trustee of the Belknap Savings 
bank, besides holding numerous other 
positions of trust and taking an active 
interest in nearly all the public enter- 
prises which tended to improve and 
build up Laconia. In secret orders he 
was a Mason, and he was also a mem- 




The late James H. Tilton. 



The Late James H. Tilton. 



The late James H. Tilton was for 
half a century engaged in mercantile 
life in Laconia, first as a clerk, and 
then for many years as proprietor of the 
Old Corner Store on Main street. Mr. 
Tilton entered this store as clerk for 
H. J. French, and from a boy he 
worked up to clerk and assumed con- 
trol of the business in 1859. He 
largely increased the business and was 
for many years one of the most success- 
ful merchants in this section of New 



ber of the board of trade. Mr. Tilton 
did considerable to beautify Laconia 
by improving his real estate and erect- 
ing one of the finest residences in the 
city. Mr. Tilton was a native of San- 
bornton Bridge, N. 1 1., born April 1, 1828, 
and died in Laconia, March 15. 1894. 



Rebecca Weeks Wiley, M. D. 

It was in the dreamy old town of 
Gilford, in a large two-story house, a 
typical New Hampshire home of the 
better sort, that she of whom we write 



i8o 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



first opened her eyes upon the light of 
this world. The ancestral lines through 
which she is able to trace her kindred 
stretch back through families distin- 
guished for education, patriotism, and 
statesmanship. These include Horace 
Greeley and Daniel Webster. She was 
named for her great-grandmother, Re- 
becca Webster, who was a cousin of 
Daniel Webster. For the sake of brevity 
and euphony, at marriage, she dropped 
the Webster, and has since been known 
as Rebecca Weeks Wiley. 

Her immedi- 
ate relations 
were character- 
ized for quick 
disce rnment, 
executive abil- 
ity, and sterling 
integrity. Her 
father, John 
GaleWeeks,was 
a successful 
manufacturer of 
hats and caps at 
the time of her 
birth. She was 
educated at La- 
conia academy, 
New Hamp- 
shire Female 
college, and 
Boston Univer- 
sity School of 
Medicine, grad- 
uating from the 
latter with the 
class of '82. 

Dr. Wiley at 
once began the 

practice of her profession at Laconia, 
being the first woman physician in the 
state north of Concord. Her reception 
by the people of Laconia was most cor- 
dial, and the circle of her friends and 
patrons has steadily widened. She has 
a large office and correspondence prac- 
tice, in addition to regular outside 
work; all of which perfect health ena- 
bles her to heartily enjoy. 

Several of Dr. Wiley's ancestors and 
an older sister were successful physi- 
cians, and she has marked hereditary 




tendencies towards the profession. The 
dream of her youth was a prophecy of 
which the practice of medicine is a ful- 
filment, and she is an enthusiast in her 
profession. She has from the first been 
a close student, and is up to date in all 
that pertains to both medical science 
and practice. 

Dr. Wiley is a member of the New 
Hampshire Homeopathic Medical soci- 
ety and the American Institute of Home- 
opathy. In church relations she is a 
Free Baptist. She is sympathetic and 
cooperative 
with her hus- 
band, the Rev. 
F r e d e r i ck L. 
Wiley, in his 
literary and 
philanth r o p i c 
pursuits. Their 
only son, Mau- 
rice G. Wiley, 
after a four 
years' course, 
was graduated 
from a medical 
college in '94, 
and is practis- 
ing his profes- 
sion in Boston. 



Dr. Rebecca Weekb Wiley 



H. D. Glley. 

Harry D. Cil- 
ley, carbonater 
and wholes al e 
dealer in malt 
liquors, is a na- 
tive of that part 
of Gil manton 
which is now Belmont, and was born on 
Oct. 7, 1857, the son of Joseph Plum- 
mer Cilley, a prominent citizen of that 
town. He was educated in the public 
schools of Concord, N. H., and came to 
Laconia about twenty years ago. He 
is a carbonater and manufacturer of 
light summer drinks, such as bottled 
soda, ginger ale, pear cider, and other 
liquid refreshments in this line, and is 
also a wholesale dealer in malt liquors. 
Mr. Cilley manufactures his beverages 
at No. 489 Main street, and has a well- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIA X. 



established reputation for using the 
purest syrups and flavors, and manu- 
facturing wholesome, healthful, and de- 
licious summer drinks. He has built 
up an excellent bus- 
iness in this line, 
and there is a con- 
stant demand for 
his goods at all sea- 
sons of the year, 
and especially in 
the summer, during 
the hot weather, his 
e sta bli shment is 
driven to its full 
capacity. 

In politics, Mr. 
Cilley affiliates with 
the Republican s, 
but should perhaps 
be classed as an in- 
de pen dent, as he 
always acts and 
votes with that par- 
ty which he consid- 
ers to be advocat- 
ing the best inter- 
ests of the people. 
He served as a deputy sheriff of Bel- 
knap county in 1891 and 1892, under 
Sheriff William P. Lang of Tilton. 

In fraternal 
societies Mr. 
Cilley is a 
member of the 
Order of Elks 
at Man Ches- 
ter, N. H., and 
he is also a 
member of 
New Hamp- 
shire's historic 
military organ- 
i z a t i o n , the 
Amoskeag 
Veterans, the 
headquarters 
of which are 
atManchester. 

Mr. Cilley is 

an active mem- Residence of 

ber of the Bel- 
knap County Fish and Game league, 
and takes great interest in all matters 




pertaining to fishing and hunting. He 
has a comfortable and convenient sum- 
mer home on the shores near the head- 
waters of Lake Winnesquam, and de- 
votes most of his 
spare time to en- 
joyment out of 
doors with gun and 
rod. 



Laconia Board of 
Trade. 



Harry D. Cilley. 




During the past 
ten years the Laco- 
nia Board of Trade 
has been an impor- 
tant factor in deal- 
ing with many ques- 
tions of town and 
municipal gove r n - 
ment, railroad mat 
ters, and the loca- 
tion of new indus- 
tries. The board 
wa s first per ma - 
nently organized 
May 27, 18S9. as the Laconia and Lake 
Village Board of Trade. The first offi- 
cers were : President, John C. Moulton; 

vice-presi- 
dents, Henry 
J. Odell and 
James H. Til- 
ton; s e c i" e - 
tary and treas- 
u re 1" . Samuel 
1!. Smith ; di- 
re* i' irs, J oh n 
T. Busiel, E.( '. 
Lewis, 1 >ennis 
O'Shea, H. l\. 
Quinby, 1'-. F. 
Drake. Dr. 
Henry Tuck- 
er, and H. H. 
Wood. 

The present 
officers of the 
arry D. Cilley. board are: 

President, D. 

O'Shea; vice-president, W. K. KLnight; 
secretary. S. C. Five ; treasurer. Fd- 



l82 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



mund Little ; directors, Oscar A. Lou- 
gee, Frank P. Holt, S. B. Smith, James 
McGloughlin, and W. A. Plummer. 



Edwin F. Burleigh, 



Edwin F. Burleigh, chairman of the 
board of assessors of the city of La- 
conia, has been a prominent figure in 
mercantile and financial circles here 
for the past thirty years. He is a na- 
tive of Sanbornton, N. H., born Jan. 
24, 1 84 1, son of James M. and Harriet 
G. (Kentfield) 
Burleigh. H e 
was educ a t e d 
in the common 
schools, and at 
the old Wood- 
man and San- 
born academy 
at Sanbornton 
square, and also 
attended the 
New Hamp- 
shire Confer- 
ence Seminary 
at Sanbornton 
Bridge, now Til- 
ton, N. H. 

After comple- 
ting his educa- 
tion, he remain- 
ed on the home 
farm in San- 
bornton for a 
few years, and 
came to Laco- 
nia in March, 
1864. In 1865, 
he engaged in 
the boot and shoe business in the store 
in Burleigh's block, now occupied by 
McCarthy Bros. 

He continued in business very suc- 
cessfully for about thirty years, always 
remaining at the same stand, where he 
retailed boots, shoes, hats, caps, and 
men's furnishing goods. He was a 
shrewd buyer, and handled reliable 
goods, which, perhaps, accounts for his 
success, and it is a fact, that, when he 
retired from the shoe business in 1892, 
he was the oldest merchant in the town 




Edwin F. Burleieh. 



in point of service, and had continued 
his trade without any change of firm or 
location for almost thirty years. 

In 1894 Mr. Burleigh was elected a 
member of the board of city tax asses- 
sors, a position for which his excellent 
judgment and knowledge of business 
affairs and real estate admirably fitted 
him. He has served as chairman of 
the assessors since that time, and still 
holds the position. Since the retire- 
ment of the late Major N. B. Gale, Mr. 
Burleigh has served as president and 
trustee of the 
Belknap Sav- 
ings bank, and 
he is a director 
in the People's 
National bank. 
He is also one 
of the execu- 
tors of the will 
of the late Mai. 
Gale, and a 
trustee of the 
estate unde r 
the will ; also a 
trustee and a 
member of the 
building com- 
mittee for the 
city of Laconia 
to manage the 
Gale bequest, 
and erect the 
forthcoming 
Gale memorial 
building. He 
was one of the 
committee that 
erected the 
High school building in 18S7. 

Mr. Burleigh married Clara Richard- 
son of Reading, Mass., Dec. 23, 1867, 
and they have one son, Harry T. Bur- 
leigh, a law student in this city. 



Vtie De l'Eau Hotel. 



The Vue De l'Eau Hotel, under the 
efficient management of H. H. Caldon, 
proprietor, is one of the ideal summer 
resorts in New Hampshire. The hotel 
is located on an eminence on the shores 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



183 



of Lake Winnesquam, is only three 
hours' ride from Boston, and is but a 
short distance from the end of the elec- 
tric railroad system of Laconia, connect- 
ing with The Weirs and Lake Winnipe- 
saukee. The Vue De l'Eau is most 
beautifully situated, commanding a mag- 
nificent view of Lake Winnesquam and 
the city of Laconia, with the Sandwich, 
Ossipee, and White Mountain ranges in 
the distance, and the Belknap moun- 
tains only a few miles away on the east. 
The hotel is connected with the outside 
world by long-distance telephone, and 
offers all the charm of country life, to- 



curves, and all the scenes are of natural loveli- 
ness not to be described. This tortuous coast- 
line multiplies little bays and inlets throughout 
the basin occupied by these waters, and affords 
a succession of scenes not often surpassed in 
beauty in any section in New England." 



Central House. 



The Central House, at No. 603 Main 
street, Laconia, is a first-class hotel, 
open all the year, and under the man- 
agement of H. H. Caldon, proprietor. 
It is centrally located, near the railroad 
station, electric cars, and business por- 
tion of the city, and the hotel is 




Vue De l'Eau Hotel. 



gether with the facilities and conven- 
iences of the city close at hand. Lake 
Winnesquam is a widely-known sports- 
men's resort, these waters abounding 
with lake trout, salmon, bass, pickerel, 
and smaller fish. The lake is nine 
miles long, and from half a mile to two 
miles in width. A prominent writer 
and admirer of New England scenery 
says : 

" The scenery of which it is a part is primitive 
and wonderfully attractive. Its shores rise 
abruptly in many parts to hills often of consid- 
erable height, these being usually well wooded, 
the forest growth coming down often to the 
water's edge. The shore winds inward and out- 
ward among these hills in graceful lines and 



equipped with every convenience, such 
as steam heat, electric lights, baths, etc. 
Rates are from Si to S2 per clay, and 
this hotel is very popular with commer- 
cial travelers, on account of its good 
service and excellent location. 



Judge John G. Jewett. 

For nearly half a century, Judge John 
G. Jewett has served the public in vari- 
ous positions of trust and honor, and he 
has been for many years one of the best 
known citizens in this section of Bel- 
knap count}'. He was a son of Smith 
and Statira ((dines) Jewett. born Sept. 



i8 4 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



4, 1829, in Laconia, then, of course, 
known as Meredith Bridge. 

His grandfather, Samuel Jewett, was 
the first permanent settler in Laconia on 
the east side of the Winnipesaukee 
river, coming here in 1782, when the 
land was covered with heavy timber. 
He owned more than half of the land 
which now comprises Ward 5, and sold 
the water privilege and seven acres of 
land on the east side of the river for 
seven dollars. His first dwelling was 
near the present site of Judge Jewett's 
residence, a nd 
a part of the 
estate is still 
owned by the 
Jewett fami 1 y . 
He was in the 
Battle of Bunk- 
er Hill, and 
served through 
the war. 

John G. Jew- 
ett was the sixth 
child of his pa- I 
rents. He at- 
tended the 
public schools 
of Meredith 
Bridge and the 
Gilford acade- 
my, and a f te r 
completing his 
education he 
taught school 
in this vicinity 
for ten years. 
In 1855 he went 
to South Amer- 
ica as a gold- 
hunter, returning in March, 1857. 

He was employed for eight years in 
the Laconia car shops, and in 1876 was 
appointed judge of the Laconia police 
court, a position which he filled with 
dignity and justice for sixteen years. 
In 1 89 1 he resigned, and was appointed 
postmaster by President Harrison. He 
resigned the postmastership in May, 
1895, and since that time has been re- 
tired from public life. Besides these 
two positions mentioned, Judge Jewett 
has held numerous other offices, both 



Judge John G. Jewett 



town and county. He was register of 
probate for two years, was collector of 
taxes in 1859, was a selectman of Gil- 
ford for three years, and in 1863 was 
recruiting officer for that town. He was 
in the New Hampshire legislature in 
1867 and 1868, was a member of the 
Laconia board of education for twelve 
years, and was superintendent of the 
school committee in Gilford back in 
1858. 

In December, 1855, he married Caro- 
line E. Shannon, a native of Barnstead. 
They have three 
children : Ste- 
phen S . , t h e 
well-known law- 
yer, John B . , 
and Katie B. — 
all married. 

Judge Jewett 
has been a Free 
Mason for over 
thirty years, 
having joined 
Mt. Lebanon 
lodge in 1864, 
and he is past 
master of the 
lodge. H e i s 
also a member 
and past officer 
of Union chap- 
ter, and be- 
longs to Pilgrim 
C o m m andery, 
Knights Tem- 
plar. In relig- 
ious affairs he 
affiliates w i t h 
the Congreg a - 
tionalists, and in politics he is a staunch 
Republican. 




Col. Edwin C. Lewis. 

As editor of the Laconia Democrat 
from June, 1878, to January, 1897, Col. 
Edwin C. Lewis has been an important 
factor in all phases of Laconia life. He 
came here from New Hampton, with no 
journalistic training and no knowledge 
of the newspaper business, but with an 



THE ILLUSTRATED BACONIAN. 



i»5 



abundance of " horse sense," a good 
education, and the ability to write 
tersely and interestingly of current 
events and to indite editorials which 
compared favorably with those in news- 
papers of much greater pretensions. 
In fact, it has been frequently and truth- 
fully said that for good English, good 
common sense, and good judgment, the 
editorials of Colonel Lewis were not ex- 
celled by any newspaper published in 
New Hampshire. 

Edwin C. Lewis was born in New 
Ham pt on , N. 
H., Nov. 28, 
1836, the son 
of Col. Rufus 
G . and Sally 
( Smith) Lewis. 
His father was 
for many years 
the prominent 
man of New 
Hampton, a 
large property 
owner and in- 
fluential citizen, 
a n d w a s a 
leader in ob- 
tain i n g t h e 
charter for and 
esta blishing 
New Hampton 
Literary Ins t i - 
tution. 

Edwin C. Lew- 
is fitted for col- 
1 e g e at New 
Hampton Insti- 
tution, and grad- 
uated at Har- 
vard in the class of '59. He read law for 
a time in Lowell, Mass., but the sickness 
of his father called him home and caused 
him to abandon this profession. In 1878 
he came to Laconia with Fred W. San- 
born and purchased the Laconia Demo- 
crat. The Arm of Lewis & Sanborn was 
changed at the end of two years by the 
retirement of Mr. Sanborn, and the con- 
cern continued as Lewis, Yaughan & 
Co., with Charles W. Yaughan and 
Albert P. Brown as the junior partners, 
until Colonel Lewis disposed of his 



interest to Gov. C. A. Busiel in January, 
1897. 

Politically Colonel Lewis is a Demo- 
crat. He served two terms as treasurer 
of Belknap county, was in Governor 
Tuttle's executive council in 1890 and 
1 89 1, was a member of the Laconia 
school board for some time, and was 
for many years a trustee and member of 
the executive committee of New Hamp- 
ton Institution. Colonel Lewis is a 
member of the several Masonic frater- 
nities in this city, including Pilgrim 
Command e ry , 
Knights T em - 
plar. In 1890 
Colonel Lewis 
married E 1 i z a 
1!., daughter of 
David and Sally 
(Wallace) Hil- 
ton of Sand- 
wich, who died 
April 15, 1899. 




Postmaster 
F. L. Gilman. 

Postmas t er 
Frank L. Gil- 
man is a Laco- 
nia boy, though 
born on the Gil- 
ford side of the 
river, and he 
has perhaps 
served the pub- 
lic in one ca- 
pacity or anoth- 
er more than 
any other man 
of his years in the city. He was born 
Sept. 29, 1858, his parents being 
Lyman \V. and Dorothy E. Gilman. 
His education was obtained in the 
public schools of Laconia, and he then 
entered the Laconia passenger depot as 
telegraph operator and ticket seller, 
holding these positions from 1S76 to 
1SS0. He went to Old Orchard beach 
in the summer of 1S81, where he held a 
position as telegraph operator, and in 
October of the same year went to 
Boston, where he was employed in the 



Edwin C. Lewis 



i86 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Western Union Telegraph company's 
office on State street, until July, 1882, 
when he resigned his position to return 
to Laconia and accept the assistant 




Frank L. Gilman. 

postmastership under Postmaster Per 
ley Putnam. Mr. Gilman held the assis 
tant postmastership during Mr. 
Putnam's term, and when Post- 
master Nath'l Edgerly took the 
office in March, 1887, he contin- 
ued as assistant until October of 
the same year. During the next 
year or two Mr. Gilman was col- 
lector for the Laconia Democrat, 
clerk for Geo. R. Leavitt in the 
wood and coal business, and 
agent for the Singer Manufactur- 
ing Co. 

In the fall of 1S88, Mr. Gil- 
man was elected register of prob- 
ate for Belknap county, which 
office he filled for two years, from 
July, 1889. In 1891, he was ap- 
pointed assistant postmaster by 
Postmaster John G. Jewett, and 
held the place until Postmaster 
John O'Loughlin came into office in 
May, 1895, remaining with the latter 
until October, 1895. 

He was elected tax collector of the 
city of Laconia in 1895 and again in 
1896, acting as agent for the New York 
Life Insurance company at the same 



time. Mr. Gilman was appointed post- 
master of Laconia by President Mc- 
kinley, July 2, 1897, a position which 
he still holds to the general satisfaction 
of the patrons of the office, for in his 
long service of the public in the various 
positions he has held, Mr. Gilman has 
always been a popular official, courte- 
ous to all, and in short, an ideal public 
servant. 

Mr. Gilman married Miss Ruth Bar- 
ber of Lewiston, Maine, Dec. 31, 1881. 
She died April, 1883, leaving one son, 
R. Frank Gilman, a member of the 
Laconia High school, class of 1900. 
Mr. Gilman married Miss Emma Jones, 
of this city, June 16, 1896. 

He is a member of Winnipiseogee 
lodge, a past chief patriarch of Laconia 
encampment, is at the present time 
lieutenant of Canton Osgood, No. 5, 
Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F. Mr. 
Gilman is also connected with the 
Laconia Lodge and Chapter of Masons. 
He has served as president and mem- 
ber of the board of managers of the 
First Free Baptist church of this city. 




Residence of Frank L. Gilman. 

Laconia Post-office, 

The Laconia post-office is in every 
respect a model institution, and is the 
largest and best-equipped office in New 
Hampshire north of Concord. For many 
years the post-office was kept in drug 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



187 



stores, bookstores, etc., and then for 
about twenty years in old Post-office 
block, so called, near the river, in quar- 
ters which answered well enough for the 
times, but which finally proved inade- 
quate. When the handsome Masonic 
temple was erected, in 1895, the most 
desirable quarters in the building were 
leased and fitted up in elegant and con- 
venient shape for the handling of the 
United States mails, and for the accom- 
modation of patrons of the office. It is 
equipped with all modern improvements, 
including a Bundy time recorder, fire 
and burglar proof safe, and stamping 



1889; a native of Laconia, born March 
31, 1867. Mrs. E. Gertrude Sanborn, 
appointed May, 1894; a native of La- 
conia, born July 16, 1870. Charles F. 
Shastany, appointed September, 1895 ; 
a native of Laconia, born Nov. 1^. 
1877. 

The regular letter-carriers are : John 
M. Guay, appointed April 1, 1896; a 
native of Canada, born Sept. jo, 1861. 
Eben P. Merrill, appointed April 1 , 1896 ; 
a native of Laconia, born July 10, 1863. 
Oliver F. Griffin, appointed Aug. 9, 
1898; a native of Attleboro, Mass., 
born Dec. 12, 1858. Arthur F. Turner, 




machine. Frank L. Gilman, the present 
postmaster, was appointed by President 
McKinley, July 2, 1897, and was already 
admirably fitted by several years of sub- 
ordinate service in this office for the 
more responsible position of postmaster. 

The office was removed to the Ma- 
sonic temple in September, 1895. The 
free delivery service was established 
April 1, 1896. 

The present force of clerks in the 
post-office are as follows : Edward S. 
Cook, chief, appointed July, 1897 ; a 
native of Laconia, born May 6, 1864. 
Miss Belle V. Dixon, appointed March, 



appointed April 1, 1896; a native of 
Chelsea. Mass., born Sept. 28, 1869. 

The employe's of the post-office are 
in the classified service, and the mem- 
bers of the Civil Service Examining 
Board (local) are : Edward S. Cook, 
chairman; Belle V. Dixon, secretary; 
and Arthur F. Turner. 

The Late Col. Thomas J. Whipple. 



The late Col. Thomas J. Whipple, 
who died Dec. 21, 1889, was perhaps 
the most noted citizen who has ever 
resided in Laconia. having a national 



i88 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



reputation as a brave soldier — the hero 
of two wars — a brilliant lawyer, and a 
strong character, whose like we shall 
not look upon again. 

Colonel Whipple was born in Went- 
worth, N. H., Jan. 30, 18 16. His 
father was one of the noted men of 
his time. Young Whipple was educa- 
ted at the academies in New Hampton, 
Bradford, Vt., and at the Norwich uni- 
versity, where he developed his early 
taste for military affairs. At the age 



made adjutant-general on the staff of 
General Lewis. Returning from Mex- 
ico he opened an office in Laconia in 
1849, and was until his death one of 
the most prominent figures among the 
lawyers of New Hampshire. At the 
breaking out of the War of the Rebel- 
lion he served as lieutenant-colonel of 
the First New Hampshire regiment and 
as colonel of the Fourth regiment, re- 
signing the latter March 18, 1862. 
Later he was prominent in raising the 




The Late Col. Thomas J. Whipple. 



of seventeen he had been aide-de-camp 
on the staff of General Cook of the 
New Hampshire militia, and he organ- 
ized a company known as the Went- 
worth Phalanx, which had quite a bril- 
liant reputation. He read law with 
Hon. Josiah Quincy of Rumney and 
Salmon Wires of Johnson, Vt., and 
commenced practice in his native town. 
He was one of the first to enlist in the 
Mexican War, was taken prisoner at 
Vera Cruz, afterwards exchanged, and 



famous Twelfth regiment, and was 
elected its colonel, but did not serve. 
Although for years recognized as 
one of the trusted and foremost leaders 
of the Democratic party in New Hamp- 
shire, he filled but comparatively few 
offices. Almost any place in the gift 
of the party could have been his, but 
he steadily refused them all. He was 
assistant clerk and clerk of the house 
of representatives, secretary of the 
constitutional convention of 1850, and 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



189 



a member of the convention of 1876. 
He was once moderator of the old town 
of Laconia. 

Colonel Whipple married Belinda 
Hadley of Wentworth, and he is sur- 
vived by one granddaughter, Mrs. C. O. 
Downing of Laconia. 

Colonel Whipple was a man of re- 
markable ability, a profound and origi- 
nal thinker, and a most effective orator. 
His manner and bearing, the erect form, 
the flashing eye, the resolute tones of 
his voice, and his personal magnetism, 
seemed like 
special gifts 
of his own. The 
place of this 
brilliant man is 
likely to remain 
forever unfilled. 



ing surgeons at Laconia, and a member 
of Laconia board of education. 

He is a member of the New Hamp- 
shire Medical society, and Winnipesau- 
kee Academy of Medicine; a Knight 
of Pythias, past chancellor of Endicott 
Rock lodge, and member of grand lodge 
of New Hampshire; a member of J. A. 
Greene company, U. R. K. of P. ; a 
member of Mount Lebanon lodge, 
A. F. A. M ; of Pilgrim commandery, 
and a thirty-second degree Mason. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

He married 
May I. Davis 
on June 28, 
1888. The y 
have one child, 
Havene M a y 
Quimby. 



Dr. John G. 
Quimby. 




Laconia Street 
Railway. 



John Grant 
Quimby, physi- 
cian at Lake- 
port, was born 
at San d w i c h , 
N. H., April 8, 
1862, son of 
Joseph H. and 
Nancy J. (Fogg) 
Quimby. H e 
was educated 
at New Hamp- 
ton Literary 
Institution, and 
Nichols Latin 
school, Lewis- 
ton, Me., from 
which he was graduated at the head of 
his class in June, 1S85. He then be- 
came a student of Bowdoin university, 
medical department, and obtained the 
degree of M. D. on June 27, 1888. 

He began the practice of his profes- 
sion in July, 1 888, at Lakeport, and has 
since been a resident of Ward 6, except 
the years i892-'93 when he was at 
New Hampton, N. H. For several 
years he has been city physician, and 
holds that position at present. He is a 
member of the U. S. board of examin- 



Dr. John G. Quimby 



The Laconia 
Street Railway, 
w h i c h n o w 
sends its hand- 
some and com- 
fortable electric- 
street cars from 
the lower end 
of Laconia, al- 
most at the 
Belmont line. 
throu g h the 
heart of Laco- 
nia and Lake- 
port's business 
and residential 
streets, and 
thence along the shores of Lake Paugus 
over the magnificent boulevard just com- 
pleted from Lakeport to The Weirs, was 
chartered in 1881 by the New Hamp- 
shire legislature as the Laconia and 
Lake Village Horse Railroad. 

The grantees were Albert G. Fol- 
som, J. P. Hutchinson, James II. Til- 
ton, and Richard Gove. The capital 
stock was only 5.15,000, and the first 
car was run over the road August 18. 
1882. Bela S. Keniston was the first 
superintendent, and the tracks extended 



190 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



only from the Willard hotel in Laconia 
to the steamboat wharves in Lakeport. 
The road was always a successful 
institution, but for the past ten years 
there has been a public demand for 




President H. L. Pierce. 

electricity to replace the old-fashioned 
method of horses for motive power. 
Dr. Joseph C. Moore obtained control 
of the road in 1889, and planned to 
introduce electricity, but in 1896 the 
control came back into the hands of 
A. G. Folsom and his associates, who 
built and operated the road at first. 

In the summer of 1898, a controlling 
interest in the corporation was pur- 
chased by Messrs. Harry L. Pierce and 
Charles T. Foster, of Leominster, and 
George H. Cook of Athol. These gen- 
tlemen at once proceeded to equip the 
system with electricity, and in Septem- 
ber, 1898, the electric cars were run- 
ning over the road, and the system was 
kept open for traffic during the winter, 
while in previous years, with the horse- 
motors, the track was usually aban- 
doned at the first heavy fall of snow, 
and transportation furnished during the 
winter in cumbersome and inconvenient 
sleigh-barges. 

In the spring of 1899, Messrs. Pierce, 
Foster, and Cook extended their tracks 
from Lakeport to The Weirs, a distance 
of about five miles, over one of the most 



beautiful routes for an electric ride to 
be found in New England. The tracks 
follow the shore of Lake Paugus very 
closely, and command a most beautiful 
view of water and mountain scenery 
over the entire route, while at The 
Weirs, the summer resort of central and 
northern New Hampshire, the system 
crosses the outlet of the famous Lake 
Winnipesaukee, and has its terminus 
near the camp-grounds of the New 
Hampshire Veterans' Association, and 
the Winnipesaukee Campmeeting Asso- 
ciation (Methodists), where musical fes- 
tivals, religious and social gatherings 
and reunions are held every week dur- 
ing; the summer season. 




Treasurer C. T. Foster. 

Thus the little horse railroad has 
grown from a small system, merely con- 
necting the business centres of two ends 
of the city, to an electric system which 
runs practically from Belmont on the 
south to Meredith on the north, through 
one of the most enterprising cities of 
New Hampshire, while the new exten- 
sion affords an opportunity for a ride 
through the world-famous lake region of 
New Hampshire. 

The motive power is supplied by an 
equipment of the latest pattern of gaso- 
lene engines, located at the car stables 
on Union avenue, and the road is sup- 
plied with modern and elegant cars, and 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



191 



everything to make the service first-class, 
and just what an electric road should 
be. Messrs. Pierce, Foster, and Cook 
are entitled to much credit for their 
enterprise in giving Laconia such a 
desirable service, and they certainly 
deserve the success with which their 
efforts seem likely to be rewarded. 

The present officers of the road are : 
President, Harry L. Pierce ; treasurer. 
Charles T. Foster; superintendent, 
Lewis S. Pierce ; directors, H. L. 
Pierce, Charles T. Foster, Geo. H. 
Cook, S. B. Smith, A. G. Folsom, Ed- 
mund Little, Chas. F. Stone. 

President H. L. Pierce, of the Laconia 
Street Railway, was born in Somerville, 
Mass., June 9, 1865, and entered the 
electric business in 1889, when he 
started in the manufacture of electric 
supplies at Leominster, Mass. In 1890 
he formed the Pierce Construction Co., 
and has since built about two hundred 
miles of electric roads, from Bath, Me., 
to Austin, Tex. In 1887 he gave up 
the construction business to devote his 
entire attention to his several railways 
and his real estate interests, among 




Superintendent L. S. Pierce. 

which is the Fitchburg & Suburban of 
Leominster, Mass., and the Laconia 
Street Railway, in both of which con- 
cerns Mr. Pierce is president. 

Charles T. Foster of Leominster. 



Mass., was born in Canterbury. N. H., 
July 22, 1869, His father, Moses A. 
Foster, was a farmer and breeder of hue 
blooded horses. Mr. Foster's early ed- 
ucation was acquired in the district 
schools at home. At sixteen years of 
age he entered Tilton seminary, from 
which he was graduated in 1889. 

The following fall he was admitted to 
the Bryant & Stratton business college 
in Boston, and at the completion of his 
course he was offered a position in the 
Leominster National bank at Leomins- 
ter, which position he accepted, and 
held for four years, resigning to connect 
himself with the Whitney Reed Chair 
Company of that place. During the 
past few years he has been an active 
real estate dealer, and has been fortun- 
ate in purchasing unimproved land in 
advance of the rapid development of the 
city where he lives, and has built a 
great many new streets and houses in 
connection with his land improvement. 
He was one of the promoters of the 
Fitchburg & Suburban Street Railway, 
and at the present time is one of the 
managing directors and treasurer of that 
road. He is also one of the managing 
directors and treasurer of the Laconia 
Street Railway of Laconia, and has 
other railway interests where he is not 
an active officer. 

At the present time he is a member 
of the Leominster board of selectmen. 
and previously one of the town auditors. 

Superintendent L. S. Pierce was born 
August 4, 1863, and became connected 
with the electric railway business in 
T887, at which time there were but two 
roads in operation. He was at that 
time electrician on the Belt line, in 
Lynn, Mass. The next year he become 
superintendent of overhead construction 
and electrician for the Pierce Construc- 
tion Co. In the past ten years he has 
superintended the setting of poles, 
stringing of wires, etc., for twenty-two 
different lines of electric roads, on most 
of which he has been the first to start a 
car. Superintendent Pier< e became 
connected with the Laconia Street Rail- 
way on August 1 , [898. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



J 93 




Hun. E. A. Hibbard. 

Hon. Ellery A. Hibbard. 

Hon. Ellery A. Hibbard, senior mem 
ber and president of the Belknap 
County Bar Association, is one of 
the most widely known of Laconia's 
legal fraternity. He was born in St. 
Johnsbury, Yt.. July 31, 1826, and 
was admitted to the bar in Ply- 
mouth, N. H., in Jul}-, 1S49. In 
January, 1853, he came to Laconia, 
and in course of time won a place- 
as one of the ablest and most suc- 
cessful lawyers in New Hampshire. 
He was appointed judge of the su- 
preme court in March, 1 S 7 3 , but 
retired after being on the bench a 
little over one year. In politics 
Judge Hibbard has always been a 
firm and consistent Democrat. He 
served Laconia as moderator from 
1862 to 1873 inclusive, has been 
assistant clerk and clerk of the leg- 
islature, represented the town twice 
in the general court, and was a 
member of the forty-second United 
States house of representatives. 
Judge Hibbard was a member of 
the original board of directors of 
the Laconia National bank, and 



still retains his connection with that in- 
stitution ; lie is a trustee of the Laconia 
Savings bank, and has been prominent 
in numerous local enterprises, besides 
holding man)- other positions of trust 
and honor. 

December 5, 1 s 3 3 . he married Mary, 
daughter of Jacob bell of Haverhill, 
N. 1L. and they have had four children : 
Charles 1!., his father's law partner; 
Jennie Olive, wife of ( )rman T. Lougee ; 
Walter, who died at the age of seven ; 
and Laura 1!., who resides with her 
parents. 



The Late Hon. "Warren Lovell. 



Quarter of a century ago the late 
Hon. Warren Lovell was one of the 
leading citizens of Laconia. and a man 
who was largely in public life. He was 
a native of Rockingham, Yt., born Dec. 
3, 1802, and died Aug. iS, 1875. " L ' 
read law at bellows Falls, Yt., villi 
Judge Kellogg, and was a student in 
the same office with the late Chief Jus- 




Tin- late Hun. Warren Lovell. 



i94 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



tice Bellows. Admitted to the bar, he 
came to Meredith, N. H., in 1825, 
where he remained in practice until 
1843, at which time he changed his 
residence to Laconia. He was several 
times elected representative from Mere- 
dith, was state senator from this dis- 
trict two years, and was solicitor and 
afterwards judge of probate for Straf- 
ford county. When Belknap county 
was set off from Strafford county, Judge 
Lovell was appointed judge of probate 
and held the office until he attained the 
age of seventy, 
and thereby be- 
came disquali- 
fied. He was 
qu i t e promi- 
nent in local 
financial circles 
and was presi- 
dent of the Bel- 
knap C ount y 
bank from its 
organ i z at ion 
until it closed 
up its business. 



a two years' course of lectures at Hah- 
nemann college, of Philadelphia, where 
he graduated M. D. in 1881. Dr. Wris- 
ley remained in hospital practice in 
Philadelphia for one year, and came to 
Laconia in August, 1894, purchasing 
the practice of Dr. Geo. F. Roby. 

Dr. Wrisley is a member of the Ameri- 
can Institute of Homeopathy, the New 
Hampshire Homeopathic Medical soci- 
ety, Winnipesaukee Academy of Med- 
icine, and an honorary member of the 
Homeopathic Medical society of Phil- 
adelphia. 

Dr. Wrisl ey 
has been very 
successful in 
his practice in 
Laconia and 
vicinity, and 
has been fav- 
ored with t h e 
liberal c 1 i e n - 
tage which his 
success has 
merited. 



Dr. John Alson 
Wrisley. 




The Late 

Jonathan L. 

Moore. 



Among the 
skilful physi- 
cians for which 
Laconia has al- 
ways been, and 
still is, noted, is 
Dr. John Alson 
Wrisley, who at 

the present Dr. John A. -y> 

time is the only 

homeopathic physician at the Lakeport 
end of the city. 

Dr. Wrisley was born in Stafford 
Springs, Conn., son of John J. and Me- 
lissa S. (Franklin) Wrisley. He was 
educated in the common schools, sup- 
plemented by courses at Tilton semi- 
nary, and Fort Edward institute, of New 
York. His professional studies were 
commenced with Dr. W. E. Keith, of 
Franklin Falls, N. H., after which he 
took his first course of lectures at Bos- 
ton University Medical school, and then 



A 1 1 h ough a 
native of San- 
bor nton, t h e 
late Jonathan 
Love joy Moore 
was for almost 
half a century 
a most promi- 
nent, most reli- 
able, and es- 
teemed citizen and business man of 
Laconia. He was born at Sanbornton 
Square, Dec. 13, 1828, and was educat- 
ed at the Sanbornton academy. Mr. 
Moore was a blacksmith and machin- 
ist by trade in his early days, and first 
settled in Wolfeborough, where he en- 
gaged in business and remained there 
three years. He moved to Laconia in 
1852, and for many years conducted a 
blacksmith shop on the Gilford side of 
the river. He sold out this business in 
1876, and went into the machinist busi- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



195 



ness. being one of the firm of Moore, 
Diamond & Co., at what is now the 
Huse machine shops. 

In 1SS7, he became the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of J. L. Moore & Son. 



lily known in Belknap county from the 
first settlement of tin's region. At the 
first town-meeting held in Meredith, the 
name of Ebenezer Pitman appears 
among the officers elected, and he after- 



undertakers and dealers in wall papers, wards served the town as representative 

etc., continuing in this business success- and town clerk. His son, Ebenezer 

fully until his decease. Pitman. Jr.. was also a prominent man 

Mr. Moore was a Republican in poli- in colonial days, serving the town as 

tics, and was selectman of the town of clerk for many years, and also as repre- 

Gilford from 1871 to 1876, and was sentative to the legislature several terms. 

chairman of the Laconia board of city He was the legal authority in his section 

assessors for rive years, from the time of the town and for many years made 



the city was in- 
corporated until 
his death. May 
27. 1898. 

In his leisure 
hours, the busi- 
ness laws of 
X e w H a m p - 
shire were his 
continual study 
and he was an 
unusually well- 
informed m a n 
upon m atter s 
in this line, and 
many estates 
were placed in 
his hands for 
settlement. 

H e w a s a 
charter member 
of the [.O.O. F. } 
and was treas- 
urer of that so- 
ciety for over 
thirty consecu- 
tive years. 




The late Jonathan L. Moore. 



The Late Joseph P. Pitman. 



The late Joseph P. Pitman was for 
more than half a century an honored, 
prominent, and influential citizen of La- 
conia. He was not only a leading figure still later tor more than thirty years, 
in financial and manufacturing cir- with his intimate friend, the late Daniel 



out most of the 
legal d o c u - 
ments for his 
fellow -t o w n s - 
men. 

Jose p h P. 
Pitman was the 
second son of 
Ebenezer P it- 
man, Jr., born 
on the old 
homestead in 
Meredith, Jan. 
12. 1809. ^ e 
passed his early 
years upon the 
farm, attended 
the common- 
schools, and 
then entered 
the academy at 
New Hampton. 
lie fore he was 
twenty years of 
a g e he h a d 
taught several 
terms of school 
and sen ed two 
years as a clerk in Concord. At the 
age of twenty-one he began business for 
himself in Laconia, in connection with 
the late Daniel M. Dale, and afterwards 
with his bicther. John M. Pitman, and 



cles, but as one of the managing direc- 
tors of the old Boston. Concord & Moil 
treal railroad, he saved the corporation 
from financial ruin and secured its pros- 
perity. 

The Pitman family has been favora- 



A. Tilton. This business has not vet 
passed from the Pitman family and is 
now conducted by Ins sons. Messrs. Jo- 
seph W. and Walter II. Pitman. 

from [836 to iSp he was agent and 
treasurer of the Winnipesaukee Lake 



196 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Co., 
and during a part of this time was also 
engaged in business at Lake Village in 
company with the late John V. Barron. 
Mr. Pitman at this time was only 
about twenty-five years old, and as agent 
for the Lake Co. (a position afterwards 
held by the Hon. James Bell), he was 
superintendent and manager of all the 
mills at Lake Village, and sold all of the 
goods manufactured. These mills were 



At this time he held the controlling in- 
terest in the firm of Pitman, Tilton & 
Co., which was in 1S74 incorporated as 
the Pitman Manufacturing Co., and in 
this corporation Mr. Pitman was presi- 
dent and principal owner. 

In railroad affairs in New Hamp- 
shire, Mr. Pitman was especially promi- 
nent. He was a director of the Winni- 
pesaukee Steamboat Co., of the Con- 
cord railroad, and president of the Pemi- 




The late Joseph P. Pitman. 



owned by Mr. David Pingree, and Mr. 
Pitman was agent for him. 

He was a director in the old Winnipe- 
saukee bank, and during the twenty 
years of its existence a director of 
the Belknap County bank, and subse- 
quently in 1876 he was chosen a trustee 
of the Belknap Savings bank, an 
office which he continued to hold during 
the remainder of his life. 

Mr. Pitman was the founder of the 
Pitman Manufacturing Co., commencing 
the manufacture of knit goods in 1868. 



gewasset railroad, and at the time of his 
death was senior director of the Boston, 
Concord & Montreal railroad, having 
been elected in 1858. It was largely 
through Mr. Pitman's financial tact, 
energy and foresight that this corpora- 
tion was restored to prosperity when 
failure of the enterprise seemed almost 
unavoidable. 

Mr. Pitman was a life-long Democrat, 
but never cared for political honors, al- 
though he represented Meredith in the 
legislature in 185 1 and 1852. He was 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



197 



for forty-three years an active member 
of the Congregational church, and prom- 
inently identified with all its affairs. He 
was the principal member of the build- 
ing committee under whose direction the 
church was rebuilt in 1S74, making it at 
that time one of the finest church edi- 
fices in New Hampshire. 

Perhaps no better estimate of Mr. 
Pitman's character and of his impor- 
tance to the growth of Laconia can be 
given than to quote the following reso- 
lutions which were adopted by his towns- 



and combining energy with prudence to 
a rare degree. No one has contributed 

more Largely to give Laconia its envia- 
ble rank as a business center than Mr. 
Pitman, and his loss will be long and 
severely felt far beyond the immediate 
circle in which he moved.'" 

Mr. Pitman was married May <;, 
1841, to Charlotte Abby, daughter of 
Charles and Abigail Parker. The Par- 
kers were also prominent people in old 
Laconia. and Mrs. Pitman as a young 
lady was noted for her great beauty , and 




Charles F. Pitman. 



men who were called together for that 
purpose immediately after his death. 
which occurred Pel). 16, 1883 : 

•• We deeply lament the loss which we. 
in common with others, have sustained 
by the death of one so intimately con- 
nected with the substantial history and 
prosperity of our town. Mr. Pitman 
was widely and most favorably known 
as a strong business man. of undoubted 
integrity and great sagacity, always 
punctual in meeting every engagement, 
and faithful in performing every duty. 



she was a woman of great strength oi 
character and many estimable qualities. 
Their children were Elizabeth W. (now 

the wife of Hon. Charles P. Bell of 
Lawrence, Mass., associate justice ot 
the superior court of Massachusetts); 
Helen M.. deceased (the first wile ol 
Mr. Pell); Charles I-'., the present ni.it. 

ager of the Pitman Manufacturing Co.; 

Joseph \\\, and Walter I P. who continue 
the mercantile business of their father 
under the established partnership name 
of P P. Pitman ,\: Co. 



igS 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The Pitman Manufacturing: Co, 



The Pitman Manufacturing Co. was 
incorporated in 1874. but was estab- 
lished in 1 868 by the late Joseph P. 
Pitman, and has always been one of the 
most important industries of Laconia, 
furnishing employment to a large num- 
ber of operatives, and having a wide- 
spread reputation among the trade for 
the manufacture of hue hosiery. Both 
woolen and cotton hosiery are produced 
at the Pitman mills, and their output at 
the present time is larger than that of 
any similar concern in the city. The 
present officers of the corporation are : 
President and manager, Charles F. Pit- 
man ; clerk, Joseph W. Pitman. 

Charles F. Pitman, the present head 
of the Pitman Manufacturing Co., is a 
native of this city, the son of Joseph P. 
and Charlotte Abby (Parker) Pitman, 
born Oct. 6, 1S47. He was educated 
at New Hampton academy and Phillips 
academy at Andover. 

Upon leaving school he entered the 
store of Pitman & Tilton, with which he 
was connected from 1865 to 1870. He 
then turned his attention to the hosiery 
manufacturing business, and was in 
company with his father and Daniel A. 
Tilton from 1870 to 1874, thoroughly 
mastering the details of the manage- 
ment of the concern. In 1874 the Pit- 
man Manufacturing Co. was incorpo- 
rated, and he has been general manager 
from the start, and president of the cor- 
poration since his father's death in 
1883. Mr. Pitman applies himself very 
closely to the management of the con- 
cern, is thoroughly familiar with every 
detail of the industry, and is considered 
one of the best and most successful 
hosiery manufacturers in this section of 
the country. 

He is a director in the Laconia Na- 
tional bank, trustee of the Belknap Sav- 
ings bank, trustee of the Gale fund for 
a city library and park, one of the man- 
aging trustees of the Laconia hospital, 
president of the Congregational society, 
and a deacon of this church. He is a 
member of the New Hampshire Society 
of Colonial Wars, his ancestors in Essex 



county, Massachusetts, having served 
with distinction in the Colonial and 
Revolutionary Wars. 

In politics Mr. Pitman is a Republi- 
can, and although never an aspirant for 
any political honors he takes great in- 
terest in public affairs, and is recognized 
as one of the public-spirited citizens of 
Laconia, always ready to assist in any 
enterprise or charity for the benefit of 
the community. 

He married, Oct. 15, 1890, Grace 
Anna, daughter of the late O. A. J. 
Vaughan. They have had two children : 
Ruth Marion, who died in infancy, and 
Charles Joseph, born Jan. 22, 1895. 




Station Acrent C. E. Leavitt. 



Charles E, Frye. 



Charles E. Frye, general foreman at 
the Laconia car shops, is a master car 
builder who has grown up with the car 
industry in this city, and has been for 
many years an important man in this 
concern. He was born in Sandwich, 
N. H., Oct. 6, 1846, and was educated 
in the public schools. He came to 
Laconia in 1S70, and worked at his 
trade as carpenter for two years and 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



199 



then entered the car shops under the 
old Ranlet Manufacturing Company. 
He has been connected with the car 
shops ever since that time, and was 
superintendent of the works under the 
old Laconia Car Co. lie is now gen- 
eral foreman under the present man- 
agement, the Laconia Car Company 
Works. 

He is not only a skilful workman 
and thoroughly efficient car builder, but 
he is a man of much executive ability, 
and understands the business of con- 
structing cars in all its branches and 
various departments. In politics Mr. 
Frye is a Democrat and represented 
Laconia in the legislature in 1S92. and 





. 












;4 ^dP"/ 




^H^S^ 


( 


w*^^ 







Charles E. Five. 

also served one term in the council as a 
member of the first city government of 
Laconia in 1893. 

In secret orders Mr. Frye is a thirty 
second degree Mason, a Knight Tem- 
plar, a member of the Mystic Shrine, 
and Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. He is an attendant at the Con- 
gregational church. 

Mr. Frye married Olive M. Vittum, 
on June 5, 1870, and they have three 
sons. 



Adelbert Clark. 

Adelbert Clark. New Hampshire's 
young poet, whose verses have at- 
tracted much attention, both in the 
Granite state and throughout New Eng- 
land, and who is also a short story 
writer of no mean ability, is a native oi 
Laconia, born Feb. 27, 1870, and has 
spent nearly all his life in this city. He 
acquired his early education in the pub- 
lic schools at Lakeport, and even at an 
earl}- age his thirst for books was ap- 
parent, caring more for his studies and 
reading than for sports, games, and out- 
of-door amusements. He left school at 
the age of fourteen years, but continued 
to devote all his spare time to the read- 
ing of standard works, both poetry and 
prose. 

He commenced writing both stories 
and poems at an early age merely for 
his own amusement and gratification, 
but some four years ago he submitted 
one of his poems to the Waverley Mag- 
azine of boston. The poem was ac- 
cepted, and since then he has written 
many verses for that publication. All 
of his poems are of a serious nature, 
and are noted not only for the beautiful 
thoughts expressed in them, but for the 
way they are handled. He has con- 
tributed for Godey's Magazine, the Mid- 
land Mont lily, the Army and Nary 
Journal, the Philadelphia Times, the 
Saturday Globe, the. Manchester Union, 
and nearly all of the local newspapers. 
His short stories have also been very 
favorably received, possessing good 
plots, interesting characters, and line 
descriptions. 

Mr. Clark is an enthusiastic collector 
of the autographs of famous men. and 
has one of the largest and finest collec- 
tions in this line to be found in New 
England, comprising the signatures of 
celebrated poets, authors, statesmen, 
musicians, actors, army and navy 1 
cers, presidents of the United States, 
etc. 

When the Laconia company went to 
Chickamauga Park with the First New 
Hampshire Regiment during the sum- 
mer of [898, Mr. Clark took great inter- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



est in their welfare, and when many of 
the company were sick with fever and 
lacking home comforts and luxuries, 
Mr. Clark worked steadily night and 
day in their behalf, arranging a booklet 




Adelbert Clark. 

of appropriate verses which was placed 
on sale for the benefit of the boys of 
Company K, and which netted a snug 
little sum for their relief. 

Mr. Clark is a great lover of nature, 
very sympathetic, and his pleasant dis- 
position and pleasing manners win him 
a host of friends wherever he is known. 
He is acquiring much more than a local 
reputation as a poet, and his work thus 
far gives promise of a brilliant future. 



George F. Mallard. 



Although comparatively a young man, 
George E. Mallard can claim to be the 
oldest merchant, in point of service, at 
the Laconia end of the city, having 
established his drug business in its pres- 
ent location, No. 537 Main street, in 
186 1, and he has continued in the same 
store and with no change of firm until 
the present date. 



Mr. Mallard is a native Laconian, 
the son of the late Ephraim and Mercy 
(Barker) Mallard of this place. He 
was educated in our public schools and 
has always resided here. 

Mr. Mallard's drug business is not 
only the oldest, but the largest, estab- 
lishment in this line in the city. He 
carries everything in the way of drugs, 
herbs, and barks, and all the standard 
patent remedies ; besides cigars, toilet 
articles, sponges, and, in fact, every- 
thing usually found in a first-class drug 




George F. Mallard. 

store. Mr. Mallard also carries a large 
line of trusses of all the different makes. 



Dr. Helen L. Story. 



Dr. Helen Louise Story was born in 
Campton, N. H., April 16, i860, the 
daughter of Hazen D. and Lydia 
(Walker) Smith. Her parents moved 
to Plymouth when she was five years of 
age, where she was educated in the 
common schools and finally graduated 
in the Belles Lettres course at Tilton 
Female college. Fitting for a teacher 
at the State Normal school at Plymouth, 
she continued the work until the fall of 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



1881, when she married Jos. ( 'lenient 
Story, a young lawyer practising at 
Wentworth, who with his family after- 
wards removed to Plymouth, where he- 
became known as one of the brilliant 
men of the Grafton county bar, and con- 
tinued in active practice until overcome 
by disease, and died Jan. 27, 1894, after 
a' lingering illness, leaving the wife and 
two "children, Charlotte Louise and 
Marion Walker, 

It was during her husband's illness 
that Mrs. Story conceived the idea of 
following the medical profession, and 
she thus began the study of medicine at 
that time with Dr. Haven Palmer of 
Plymouth. In the fall of 1894 she 
entered the Woman's Medical college of 
Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, remaining 
two years, when she went to Boston to 
accept a position as assistant surgeon in 
the Boston Dispensary, and continued 
her studies at Tufts Medical college, 
from which she took her degree of Doc- 
tor of Medicine in June, 1897. She 
passed the Massachusetts State Board 
the following July, and commenced 
practice at 23 Dartmouth St., Boston, 




R. Peabody. Dr. Story continued in 
these several capacities until May. 1898, 
when on account of failing health she 
was forced to seek rest and change, 
joining her family at Laconia, and 




with a position of assistant physician at 
Trinity Dispensary. She also opened 

an office in Lowell for a few days in 
each week, in company with Dr. Sophia 



Dr. Helen L. Story. 

opened an office for practice in Masonic 
Temple on July 1, 1898, having passed 
our own State Board of Examiners the 
previous year with the highest record of 
any candidate during 1897. 

Dr. Story's present place of business 
and residence is at 395 Main St.. where 
she resides with her two daughters. 
Dr. Story makes no specialty in her 
profession, but is of the regular school 
of practice and has had large experi- 
ence and opportunities in the diseases 
of women and children, while she has 
done some creditable work in general 
surgery. 

Miss Marion Walker Story, youngest 
daughter of Dr. Story, has won a wide 
reputation as the smallest lady cornetist 
before the public, having made her fust 

appearance in Montreal three years ago 

at the age of seven. She has appeared 
in Boston and many of the large cities 
of New England, and her ability, execu- 
tion, tone, and expression have received 
the warmest praise from the press and 
musical criti< s wherevei she has been 
heard. 




T. H. Worrall's summer residence, Lake Shore Park, Lake Winnipesaukee, N. H. This property includes 

sixtv acres of land and live buildings. 




T. H. Worrall's steam yacht Grade. Fifty feet long, ten feet wide. 




T. H. Worrall's winter residence, Laconia, N. H. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



2 °i 



Shannon's Bakery. 

During the past half a century, Laco- 
nia has had bakers and bake shops 
galore, some good, some bad, and some 
indifferent, but none of the bakers ever 
appeared to make a financial success of 
their industry, until the advent of the 
subject of this sketch, Mr. William P. 
Shannon. 

Mr. Shannon was born in Hamp- 
stead, N. H., Jan. i, 1862, and he was 
educated in the public schools of Hav- 
erhill, Mass. He came to Laconia in 
18S6, and in 189 1 started a bakery in a 
small way on 
North Main 
street. The fame 
of Shannon's 
bakery spread 
and the bake 
shop prospered 
and outgrew its 
original quarters 
in a very short 
time. He then 
removed to Mill 
street, where he 
continued very 
successful 1 y. 
constantly in- 
creasing his pro- 
duction and ca- 
pacity for goods 
in his line, until 
in 1897 he se- 
cured still more 
convenient quarters at 501 Main street, 
where his establishment is now located. 

Mr. Shannon has always devoted his 
personal attention to the supervision of 
the business and his baked goods are 
recognized as first-class and always re- 
liable. He has the patronage of the 
best people of the city and manufac- 
tures everything in the line of breads. 
cakes, pies, and fancy cooking known 
to the trade. 

He married Miss Emma M. Griffin of 
Gilmanton in 18X2, and they have one 
child, a son of three years. Mr. Shan- 
non is a Republican in politics and is 
connected with the Knights of Pythias 
and Ancient Order of United Workmen. 



Lake City Laundry. 




Will I'. Shannon ami sun. Dana P. 



The Lake City Laundry, on (anal 
court, is one of Laconia's metropolitan 
establishments, conducted by Frank R. 
Folsom, and equipped with all new and 
up-to-date machinery. This laundry 
was established by Mr. Folsom about 
four years ago. Previous to this time 
numerous attempts had been made to 
establish and maintain a first-class laun- 
dry in Laconia, under various manage- 
ments, but until Mr. Folsom's advent 
in the business none of the ventures 
was verv successful. Mr. Folsom, 
however, w i t h 
modern m e t h - 
ods, hard work, 
and close atten- 
tion to the de- 
tails of the laun- 
dry business has 
built up a large 
trade and creat- 
ed a successful 
business in this 
line. 

Branch offices 
have been estab- 
lished in the 
prin c i p al sur- 
rounding towns 
in this vicinity, 
a n d 1 a u n d r y 
work from all 
sections of 1 '.el- 
knap count y , 
from the Pemigewasset valley and even 
as far north as Vermont, is now sent to 
this establishment. Mr. Folsom has won 
a reputation for turning out first-class 
work, and the fame of the Lake City 
Laundry has spread throughout north- 
ern and central New Hampshire and in 
many adjoining towns in Vermont. 

The establishment employs only 
skilled help, and with the improved 
machinery of the present day is en- 
abled to turn out the very finest work. 
Goods are collected and delivered in 
all parts of this city by the laundry 
teams, and out-of-town work is collected 
by the local agents in each town ami 
forwarded and returned by express. 



204 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Mr. Folsom, the proprietor and mana- ness, which was then conducted here 
ger of this industry, is a native of Bel- by Mr. J. H. Toof, a Concord laundry- 
mont, born Oct. 21, 1857. He was man. Since that time Mr. Folsom has 




The Lake City Laundry. 

educated in the public schools of Bel- devoted his entire time and attention 
mont and Laconia, and started in the to building up a successful business in 
piano and organ retail business about this line, and his efforts have been re- 



111 



r 



.4 El 111! 

n I . H ¥■ |p| lafel 

t ..„_ I 





«■*» 



McCarthy Bros.' Stores. 

twenty years ago, following this line of warded with a liberal patronage and 
business until about four years ago, the establishment of a prosperous busi- 
when he purchased the laundry busi- ness. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



205 



Mr. Folsom is connected with several 
secret societies, being a Mason, Odd 
Fellow, and a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 



The Esty Sprinkling; Company. 



McCarthy Bros. 

Although one of the latest established 
of Laconia's large retail dry goods and 
clothing firms, McCaithy Bros, are rec- 
ognized as the proprietors and mana- 
gers of one of our most successful and 
reliable concerns. The firm of McCar- 
thy Bros, started in the dry goods busi- 
ness in April, 1S91, with a store eigh- 
teen feet wide by sixty feet deep. In 
June, 1896, owing to the constant and 
rapid increase of their trade, they were 
obliged to add a second floor, twenty 
feet wide by sixty feet deep. Their 
business still continued to grow, and it 
again became necessary to add more 
space to afford facilities for their in- 
creasing trade and larger stock of 
goods, and in December, 1896, they 
bought out the Laconia One-Price 
Clothing Co., and added to their busi- 
ness a clothing department, with a floor 
space thirty feet wide by ninety feet 
deep. But the increase in trade still 
kept pace with the increase in accom- 
modations, and in November, 1898, 
they leased the Burleigh shoe store, 
which is twenty-two feet wide and sixty 
feet deep. This store they annexed to 
their dry goods department, and the 
establishment is now as modern, con- 
venient, and well-lighted a store as will 
be found in New Hampshire. 

The members of the firm are Stephen 
J. McCarthy, John E. McCarthy, and 
Dennis W. McCarthy, all of whom are 
Laconia boys, who were educated in 
our public schools, and who have 
grown up to manhood in the dry goods 
and clothing trade in this city, thor- 
oughly understanding every detail. 

By close and constant attendance to 
their business, and by merchandizing 
only strictly first-class goods, they have 
gained the confidence of the public, 
and built up a splendid business in 
their dry goods and clothing depart- 
ments. 



The protection of property, especially 
that consisting of mill, factory, and bus- 
iness buildings, against lire, lias been 
and is still receiving the closest atten- 
tion by the most skilful engineers of the 
present day. Efforts are being made 
constantly to render such buildings 
more fireproof, and endless contrivances 
have been made and improvements have 
been effected whereby the disastrous 
effects of fire may be lessened. 

One of the best known and most SUC- 
1 essful of these devices ever placed up- 




The Esty Sprinkler, full size. 

on the market is the " Ksty " automatic 
sprinkler, a full sized cut of which ap- 
pears above. This sprinkler is univer- 
sally approved and accepted by insur- 
ance companies, and where installed, 
lowest rates are secured. 

The '• Esty " sprinkler was invented 
and patented by Mr. William Kstv of 
Laconia. N. II.. and in 1893 a stock 
company known as the Esty Sprinkler 
company was formed, with Mr. Esty as 
president and general manager. This 
company is located in the Esty mill, 59 
Mill St.. Laconia. X. 11.. and its works 



2o6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



have been in constant operation since 
the date of its incorporation, and is one 
of the few concerns in this city not 
forced to shut down at any period dur- 
ing the recent " hard times." Through 
this trying period, the company con- 
tinued doing a good business, and dur- 
ing the few years they have been in 
business, have manufactured and sold 
over 300,000 sprinklers, an average of 
over ^0,000 each year, furnishing steady 
employment to its employes. 

The " Esty " sprinkler is well known 
not only in this country, but is in use in 
many of the most progressive foreign 
countries, including England, Australia, 
Japan, Sweden, France, Belgium, and 
Austria. 

The officers of the Esty Sprinkler 
company are : President and general 
manager, William Esty ; secretary and 
treasurer, Fred A. Phelps ; directors, 
William Esty, Fred A. Phelps, and 
Henry Richardson. 

The company is ever ready to furnish 
any information at its command relative 



Fred R. Adams. 



Fred Russell Adams, proprietor of 
the West End Grocery and Provision 





West End Grocery and Provision Store, Lakeport 

to sprinkler protection, and respectfully 
solicits correspondence from all parties 
contemplating the installation of a first- 
class sprinkler equipment. 



Fred K. Adams. 

Store at Lakeport, is a native of Gil- 
man ton Iron Works, born March 24, 
1859, son of Albert 
A . and Mary A . 
(McNeal) Adams. 
He was educated in 
the public schools of 
Concord and Lou- 
don, and then at- 
tended the Til ton 
seminary. At the 
age of sixteen he 
commenced to serve 
an apprenticeship at 
the carpenter's trade. 
Mr. Adams came 
to Lake Village May 
1, 1SS2, and until 
the spring of 1887 
was employed in the 
Boston & Maine rail- 
road shops. He next 
engaged in the con- 
tracting and building 
business and erected 
several fine residences in Lakeport. 

Mr. Adams was employed at his 
trade for about two years at differ- 
ent times by Boulia, Gorrell &: Co., of 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



207 



Laconia, and afterwards by J. Boulia & 
Co., at Lakeport. In the fall of 1889 
he engaged in the grocery business with 
George P. Colby, and the following year 
formed a partnership with E. L. Hadley 
in the grocery and provision trade in the 
"Brawn store." In 1893, Mr. Adams 
erected his present home and store, 
known as the West End Grocery and 
Provision Store, E. R. Adams, pro- 
prietor. 

He joined Harmony lodge, I. O. O. F., 



They have had two children : Bertha 
Blanche, born August 20, 1S79, who re- 
sides at home, and Eva May, born 
August 21, 1 88 1, who died April 13, 
1892. 



Capt. Stephen B, Cole. 



On March 24, 1633, there landed on 
these shores, one Thomas Cole who 
came in the Mary and John. He was 




Capt. Stephen B. Cole. 



at Tilton, in 1882, and is now a mem- 
ber of Chocorua lodge of Lakeport, and 
has served as secretary since June, 
1898. Mr. Adams was elected secre- 
tary of the Odd Fellows' Mutual Relief 
association in March, 1898, and he is 
also a member of Hannah Frances Re- 
bekah lodge, No. 41. Mr. Adams is a 
special officer on the Laconia police 
force. 

Mr. Adams married, November 13, 
1878, Emma E. Abbott, daughter of 
G W. and Annie (Lorimer) Abbott. 



an original proprietor of Hampton, and 
is mentioned as there in 1638. He was 
at Salem in 1649 '50, and is recorded 
as a husbandman. 

The subject of this sketch, Stephen 
B. Cole, is the eighth generation from 
the above-named Thomas Cole. Stephen 
B. Cole was born in Gilford, or that por- 
tion of this city now known as Ward 6, 
April 30, 1S40. His father was the late 
John A. Cole of Gilford, and his mother, 
Abigail Davis of Canterbury. X. 11. 
His early education was obtained in the 



2 08 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



public schools of Gilford, later, he at- 
tended the seminaries at Tilton and 
New Hampton. Captain Cole has been 
interested in numerous business enter- 
prises from time to time in all of which 
it is understood he was quite suc- 
cessful. 

He was wedded No- 
vember 8, 1876, to Miss 
Caroline A. Sanborn, 
daughter of the late John 
Jervis Sanborn, well 
known in railroad cir- 
cles. He has one daugh- 
ter, Miss Virginia L. 
Cole, fifteen years of 
age, now taking the 
classical course in the 
Laconia High school. 

Captain Cole was com- 
mander of the steamer 
Lady of the Lake, on 
Lake Winnipesaukee, for 
a number of years, was 
representative from the 



rua lodge. No. 51, I. O. O. F., and in poli- 
tics is a Republican. 



W. D. Heath's Jewelry Store. 



The jewelry store of W. D. Heath at 
Lakeport was established in 1S90, at 





W. D. Heath's Jewelry Store. 

town of Gilford in 1869 and 1870, one 
of the board of selectmen in 1889 and 
1890, and also county treasurer for two 
years. He has been cashier of the 
Lakeport National bank until recently, 
and is treasurer of the Citizens' Tele- 
phone company. 

Captain Cole is a member of Choco- 



that time occupying one 
side of the clothing 
store of Waldo H. Jones, 
in the Osgood block on 
Union avenue, then 
Main street. The jew- 
elry store was at first 
something in the nature 
of an experiment, but 
finding that a success- 
ful business could be 
carried on in this place, 
Mr. Heath added musi- 
cal instruments to his 
stock, and then put in 
a line of bicycles. He 
finally found his space 
in the store too small 
for his increasing trade 
and larger stock, and to 
remedy this lack of room he purchased 
the clothing stock of Mr. Jones, and 
remodeled the entire premises. 

Mr. Heath now occupies the entire 
store, which is twenty by fifty-five feet, 
and equipped with fine modern fixtures. 
He carries a large stock of watches, dia- 
monds, clocks, silverware, jewelry, musi- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



209 



cal goods, bicycles, etc. The Heath jew- 
elry store has won a reputation for 
reliable goods and square dealing, and 
this well-deserved reputation has se- 
cured for the proprietor a profitable and 
constantly-increasing patronage. 

Mr. W. D. Heath was born in Groton, 
Vt., and learned the jewelry and watch 
business with A. J. Stone of Montpelier, 
Vt., after which he worked as a journey- 
man in Waltham, Mass., with an Eng- 
lish watchmaker, and there attended the 
Waltham Horological school. 

After attending this school, he se- 
cured a position as watchmaker with 
J. R. Murdock of Woodstock, Vt., 
where he was employed four years, then 
he was with E. E. Cheney at Nashua, 
N. H., until he came to this city and 
engaged in business for himself. 

Mr. Heath is a member of Chocorua 
lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., of Endicott 
Rock lodge, Knights of Pythias, and 
Hannah Frances lodge, Degree of Re- 
bekah. 

He married Maud Fuller, daughter 
of A. E. Fuller of Woodstock, Vt., in 
188S. They have one son, Lewis Heath. 



Jan. 18, 1S42, the son of Major Samuel 
and Hannah (Wells) Pike. He was 
educated in the common schools and 





Residence of Charles J. Pike. 
Charles J. Pike, 



Charles J. Pike, foreman of the Crane 
Manufacturing Co. shops at Lakeport, 
is a native of Franklin, N. H., born 



Charles J. Pike. 

remained at home on the farm until 
Aug. 13, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. 
E, Tenth regiment. New Hampshire 
Volunteers. This regiment 
was assigned to the Army of 
the Potomac, and remained 
in this department of the 
army until discharged, June 
12, 1865. 

On returning to New- 
Hampshire, Mr. Pike ob- 
tained a situation in the ma- 
chine shop of the late Walter 
Aiken at Franklin, and re- 
mained there two years. In 
1867 he came to Lake A'il- 
lage and was employed by 
the late B. J. Cole in the 
machine shops until the 
spring of 1S72, when Mr. 
Pike formed a partnership 
with the late E. F. Wood- 
man and removed to New- 
ark, N. J., where they en- 
gaged in the manufacture of light ma- 
chinery. Having sold out his interest 
in this business, Mr. Pike returned to 
Lake Village in the spring of 1SS2. He 
entered the machine shop of J. S. Crane, 



14 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



assembling and testing machines. He 
remained in this position until Jan. i, 
1898, when he was appointed foreman of 
the shops, which position he still holds. 
Dec. 30, 1865, Mr. Pike was united 
in marriage with Mary, a daughter of 
Horace Carlisle of Hartford, Vt, and 
has one daughter, E. Eva Pike, residing 
at home. In politics Mr. Pike is a 
Republican. Fraternally, he is a char- 
ter member of Chocorua lodge, No. 51, 
I. O. O. F., and its first presiding officer 
and representative to the state grand 
lodge. H e i s 
also a member 
and P. C. P. of 
Laconia en- 
campment, No. 
9, I. O. O. F. 



The Late 
O. A. J. 

Vaughan. 




From 1 8 5 7 
until his death 
on April 30, 
1876, the late 
Orsino A. J. 
Vaughan was 
an active citi- 
zen, in many 
ways prominent 
in Laconia life. 
He was born in 
Hanover, N.H., 
on March 11, 
1819, son of 
Silas T. and 
Polly (Ingalls) 
Vaughan. He 
studied law with Judge Kittredge of 
Canaan. He was admitted to practice 
and became a member of the Belknap 
county bar in 1846. 

He located in Gilmanton, and prac- 
tised there until 1857, when he came to 
Laconia and was for a time associated 
with the late Col. George W. Stevens, 
and in 1868 he became editor and pro- 
prietor of the Laconia Democrat, con- 
tinuing in this capacity until his death. 
He was register of probate from 1S49 
to 1856 ; he was clerk of the supreme 



The late 0. A. J. Vaughan. 



court for Belknap county at his decease, 
and also the first justice of the Laconia 
police court. He became identified 
with the militia system of New Hamp- 
shire ; in August, 1S41, was ap- 
pointed adjutant of the Thirty-seventh 
regiment; and in 1S44 was promoted 
to lieutenant-colonel. He represented 
the town in the legislature, and the 
sixth district in the state senate in 
i866-'67. He was for many years a 
member of the Democratic state com- 
mittee. In 1S66 he received the de- 
gree of A. M. 
from Dart- 
mouth college. 
He was twice 
married, his first 
wife being Julia 
Cogswell of Gil- 
manton, who 
lived but a few 
years after her 
marriage. June 
1 1 , 1855, he 
married Mary 
Elizabeth Park- 
er of Laconia, 
who died on 
December 1 8 , 
1898. The sur- 
vivors of the 
family are, — 
Charles W. 
Vaughan, man- 
ager of the La- 
conia Press 
asso ci a t i o n ; 
Grace Anna, 
wife of Charles 
F. Pitman, and 
all of whom yet 



Mary Alice Vaughan, 
reside in Laconia. 



Leon J. Merchand. 



Leon Joseph Merchand, for quite a 
number of years an active young busi- 
ness man of Laconia, but now located 
in Boston, where he conducts a pros- 
perous business in the handling of 
patented machinery, is still a resident 
of Laconia. He is the son of the late 
Lewis Merchand, born in Champlain 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



P. Q., April 8, 1868. He came to La- 
conia with his parents when a hoy of 
eight years, and was educated in our 
public schools. 

Mr. Merchand started in life as a 
cash-boy for O'Shea Bros., and later 
was employed in a similar capacity for 
Smith & Lougee Bros. He then worked 
as clerk in S. B. Smith's shoe store for 
seven years, and in 1891 went into 
business for himself as a boot and shoe 
merchant, and conducted one of the 
finest equipped shoe stores north of 
Boston until 
N o v e m ber, 
1898, when he 
sold out to 
E. L. Hearn. 

M r . Mer- 
chand then pur- 
chased the 
Model M e n u 
Maker, a new- 
ly-patented 
printing device, 
a n d a 1 so sev- 
eral other pa- 
tents ,and took 
up head q u a r - 
ters in Boston 
at 220 Devon- 
shire street, 
where he has 
finely-appo i n t - 
ed office rooms 
and is conduc- 
ting a large bus- 
iness in the 
sale of m e n u 
makers. T h i s 
machine w a s 
the invention of a Laconia boy, and en- 
ables hotels, restaurants, summer board- 
ing-houses, etc., to make their own menu 
cards in first-class style, handsomely 
printed, at comparatively no expense, 
except for the blank cards or paper on 
which the menu is printed. 

Mr. Merchand was married in the 
year 1894 to Miss Abbie S. Heywood, 
daughter of the late Harrison O. Hey- 
wood of Lakeport. and they have one 
child, a bright little girl of four years of 
age. 



Maher's News Stand. 




Leon J. Merchand. 



Maher's News Stand is the popular 

periodical establishment in Laconia and 

is located at No. 497 Main street, "On 

the Bridge." This store handles the 

New York, Boston, Manchester, and 

Concord, daily and weekly newspapers, 

as well as the local weekly papers, all 

of the popular magazines, latest novels, 

sheet music, etc. In the line of reading 

matter Maher's stand carries a larger 

and more complete stock than any other 

establish m e n t 

in this section 

of the state. 

In addition 
to the periodi- 
cal business, the 
Maher store has 
the sole agency 
for the celebrat- 
j/~] ed Baker choc- 

olates and bon- 
bons, and also 
carries a choice 
line of confec- 
tionery, cigars, 
soda-water, and 
summer drinks. 
*!t Charles Ma- 
her, the propri- 
etor, is a native 
of Bos ca wen, 
N. H.,born July 
1 7 , 1850. H e 
was educated in 
the c o m m n 
schools, and 
learned the ma- 
chinist's trade, 
being employed in Brown's machine shop 
at Penacook for about nineteen years. 

Mr. Maher came to Laconia in the 
year 1886, and opened a billiard and 
pool room which he conducted success- 
fully for twelve years. In 1895 he pur- 
chased the news stand of Hutchinson & 
Lord, and last year disposed of the pool 
and billiard room business to devote his 
entile attention to the news stand and 
confectionery store, this business having 
been very successful and largely in- 
creased within the past year or two. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



Mr. Maher was married in 1S74 to from printer's devil he became local re- 
Miss Mary A. Thornton of Penacook, porter. Mr. Browne has been employed 
and they have two children : Mamie E. upon the Laconia Press and Lacofiia 
Maher and Fred Maher. In secret or- Democrat; was at Dover, N. H., as cor 




Maher's News Stand. 



ders, Mr. Maher is a member of the 
local lodge of Knights of Pvthias. 



Lewis Allen Browne. 

was born in 



Lewis Allen Browne 
North Sandwich, Jan. 
18, 1875, but came to 
Laconia w h e n five 
years old, in 1880, 
where he has since 
resided with the ex- 
ception of three years 
spent in Virginia and 
the South. He was 
educated in the public 
schools of Laconia 
and a private school 
for boys in YVythe- 
ville, Va. He gradu- 
ated from the Laconia 
High school in 1S93, 
with a class of fifteen, 
the first class to grad- 
uate after Laconia 
was made a city. Mr. 
Browne was president 




respondent of the Manchester Mirror 
and Concord papers, and at the present 
time is Laconia correspondent of the 
Manchester Union, and covers the lake 
region for the New York J Tor Id. He 
entered the law office of Judge F. M. 
Beckford as a law 
student, a short time 
ago, but will continue 
in the newspaper work 
also for a while. Mr. 
Browne married Miss 
Minnie Mae Breck. 
Oct. 8. 189S, and they 
reside at 123 Church 
street. 



Eagle Hotel. 



Lewis Allen Browne. 



The Eagle Hotel, 
located at the junc- 
tion of Main and 
Pleasant streets, on 
Bank square, is Laco- 
n i a ' s most popular 
hotel for commercial 
travelers and others 



of the class and president of the L. H. S. who desire strictly first-class accomnio- 
alumni. He first learned photography dations. The Eagle Hotel is under 
and later entered a printing-office, where the successful management of "the two 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



-'3 




Franks," Messrs. Farwell & Gilman, 
and accommodates one hundred guests. 
The table is superb, the rooms and beds 
are clean and comfortable, the house is 
illuminated with 
electricity, sup- 
plied with a pool 
room and barber 
shop, while the 
location, directly 
in the business 
centre of the city, 
makes the Eagle a 
very convenient 
and desirable 
home for "the 
stranger w i t h i n 
our gates." 

Frank E. Far- 
well, the senior 
landlord, is a na- 
tive of New Lon- 
don, N. H., but 
resided in Farm- 
ington nearly 
twenty-five years, 
coming to Laconia about three years 
ago. He is a Red Man, a member of 




Ri sidence of Eugene ( I'Shea. 



the Knights of Pythias, and the Elks 
He is married and has one child. 

Frank A. Gilman is a native of Gil- 
ford. He has been connected with various 
hotels in this 
vicinity, having 
been connected 
with the late Levi 
B. Brown, a vet- 
eran hotel land- 
lord, for about 
six years. 

Messrs. Farwell 
& Gilman took 
possession of the 
Eagle Hotel in 
1897, and as both 
of them are men 
of experience in 
the business and 
have an extensive 
acquaintance with 
the traveling pub- 
lic, they have al- 
ways enjoyed a 
very liberal pat- 
ronage, the Eagle being often tilled with 
guests to its full capacity. 



LACONIA CHURCHES 





Congregational Church. 



The Laconia Congregational church 
was organized June 28, 1824, with a 
membership of nine persons, and on the 




Congregational Church. 

same day Mr. Francis Norwood of An- 
dover seminary preached his first ser- 
mon. A parish society was organized 
May 2, 1825, and united with the 
church in inviting Mr. Norwood to the 
pastorate. Having accepted the call, 
he was ordained July 5, 1825, and con- 
tinued in service until June 8, 1830. 
On the 29th of November, 1831, Rev. 



John K. Young, D. D., was installed as 
pastor of the church, and after serving 
for thirty-five consecutive years was dis- 
missed Feb. 12, 1867. In the earlier 
part of his ministry the church edifice 
(the only one in the village) was burned 
to the ground. But on the 6th of June 
of the same year (1836), a new house 
of worship was erected on what is now 
the corner of Main and Church streets, 
and with various modifications has been 
preserved until the present time. Rev. 
Harvey M. Stone was pastor from Feb. 
11, 1868, until Dec. 20, 1870, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Win. F. Bacon, who 
began his labor as acting pastor Nov. 1 , 
187 1, and resigned Dec. 31, 1876. 
During his ministration the church edi- 
fice was rededicated after it had been 
greatly beautified by essential changes 
in its structure. At the public service 
the building committee received a vote 




Rev. Chas. A. G. Thurston. 

of thanks from the church for keeping 
within the limits of the appropriation. 

Rev. J. E. Fullerton, the next pastor, 
was installed Oct. 17, 1S77, and dis- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



'5 



missed Feb. 15, 1881. Among other 
good works he established a Young Peo- 
ple's meeting, which held its session 
every Sunday evening a half hour be- 
fore the regular service began. Some 
of the valued results of that organiza- 
tion are seen at the present day. On 
the 1 st of December, 1881, Rev. Chas. 
A. G. Thurston began his labor as 
acting pastor. In 1889 the edifice 
was again repaired and rededicated, 
the people in the meantime worship- 
ing for the most part with the con- 
gregation of the South church. On 
the 28th of June occurred the seventy- 
fifth anniversary of the formation of the 
church. Its present membership is one 
hundred and eighty-two. 

REV. CHAS. A. G. THURSTON. 

Rev. Chas. A. G. Thurston was born 
in Fall River, Mass., July 23, 1S41, and 
received his earlier education in the 
public schools of that city. He was 
fitted for college by the late Chas. B. 
Goff, principal of the English and Class- 
ical High school of Providence, R. I. 
Entering Brown university in Septem- 
ber, 1862, and taking the full classical 
course he graduated in 1866 with the 
philosophical oration and the degree of 
A. B. and in 1S69 received from the 
same institution the degree of A. M. 
The next week after his graduation 
from college he entered the Theological 
seminary at Andover, Mass., complet- 
ing the course and receiving the full 
diploma in August, 1869. After eight 
years of mission work in several places 
including Bradford, N. H., Danbury, 
Conn., and Wakefield, Mass., he was 
ordained and installed Oct. 17, 1877, 
over a Congregational church which he 
had organized in North Raynham, 
Mass., and in a new edifice built during 
the same year. 

In 1872 he married Miss J. Anna 
Moore of Barnet, Vt., a graduate oi 
Abbott academy, Andover, Mass. He 
has three sons, — Frederick H.. now in 
Brown university, and Arthur 1 >. and 
Everett S., both residents of this city. 

During the last eighteen years Mr. 
Thurston has been the acting pastor of 
the Laconia Congregational church. 



First Baptist Church. 



The First baptist church was organ- 
ized May 30, 1888. Previous to this 
time religious services had been held for 
a few months in Smith's block hall, with 
Rev. D. M. Cleveland, state missionary. 
as preacher. At the meeting called to 
form the church, twenty persons pre- 
sented letters of dismission from their 
various churches. In accordance with 
the call of the church, an ecclesiastical 
council convened in the Y. M. C. A. 
rooms on June 11, 1888, and it was 
voted to recognize the organization as a 
regular Baptist church, under the name 
of First Baptist church of Laconia. 




First Baptist Church. 

The church thus organized worshiped 
for some time in the Y. M. C. A. rooms 
in Smith block, until their own building 
on Union avenue was completed. 

The church has been unusually fortu- 
nate in its pastors. Rev. Tillman 1!. 
Johnson was the first regular pastor. 
from December id. [888, to April 5, 
1 89 1. Rev. Woodman Bradbury was 
pastor from May 3, [891, to April 8. 
1S97. Rev. Joel B. Slocum was in- 
stalled pastor June 6. 1897, and re- 
signed the pastorate November 27. [898. 
The present pastor is Rev. Charles I.. 
Pierce, who assumed charge of the 
church May 1 . 1 899. 

Through wise and vigorous leader- 
ship, faithful and unremitting coopera- 
tion, the present commodious and beau- 
tiful house of worship was erected, and 
on June 25, [895, dedicated with tier 



2 l6 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



seats. The celebration of the tenth 
anniversary on June 3, 5, and 6, 1898, 
was an occasion of deep gratitude. At 
no time had the membership exceeded 
114, all of whom were working people, 
and only a small number of whom were 
male members or heads of families, yet 
at an expense of $12,000 a house of 
worship had been secured, and the last 
dollar of its indebtedness removed. The 
average growth of the church has not 
been rapid, but sure and hopeful. For 
nine years the average increase was 
eight members per year. During the 




Rev. Charles L. Pierce. 

past year, twenty-three members have 
been added to the church, fifteen of 
them by baptism. 

REV. CHARLES L. PIERCE. 

Rev. Charles L. Pierce, the present 
pastor, was born in Salem, Mass., Feb- 
ruary 28, 1865. His early education 
was received in the public schools, for 
which the old historic city is noted. 

Converted at the age of seventeen, 
he was at once impressed to fit himself 
for the Christian ministry ; to this call 
he did not at first respond, but entered 
business life, going west where a bright 
business future was before him. 

While absorbed in the desire to make 
money he heard the call, " Woe is me if 
I preach not the Gospel," and returning 
to New England he served seven years 
as general secretary of the Young Men's 



Christian Association in the cities of 
Brockton, Mass., Philadelphia, Pa., and 
Middletown, Conn. During these years 
he was burning the midnight oil study- 
ing under competent teachers. Twice 
he resigned as secretary, to enter the 
seminary at Newton, Mass., but each 
time his plans were frustrated and the 
pastorate was open for him. 

His experience was so peculiar and 
positive he finally concluded that it was 
God's plan for him to accept the call 
from the country parish of Eastor, Conn., 
and was ordained November 4, 1891. 
The church in Yalesville called him to 
be their pastor, and he served there for 
two years, when a unanimous call from 
the Kingston church called him to Mas- 
sachusetts. After a successful pastorate 
of nearly four years he responded to the 
call extended from the church in La- 
conia, and entered upon his duties as 
its pastor May 1, 1899. 

While general secretary of the Brock- 
ton, Mass., Y. M. C. A., Mr. Pierce 
was married June 15, 1889, to Julia 
Woodman, daughter of Granville Pack- 
ard of Salem, Mass. 



Free Baptist Church of Lakeport. 



The Free Baptist church at Lakeport 
was organized through the influence and 
labors of Rev. Nahum Brooks, at that 
time pastor of the Free Baptist church 
at Laconia, on July 13, 1838, at the 
house of Isaac Cole, father of B. J. 
Cole, and consisted of the following 
named persons : Isaac Cole, his son, 
Isaac Cole, Jr., Daniel Davis, Elihu 
Davis, their father, John Davis, William 
Brown, Richard Martin, Hannah San- 
born, and Arvilla Sanborn. Rev. John 
Pinkham gave the right hand of fellow- 
ship. The new church invited the Rev. 
Nahum Brooks to take pastoral charge 
of it, and at once applied for admission 
to the New Durham quarterly meeting, 
which request was granted, and it be- 
came a part of that body in August, 
1838. The meetings of this church 
were held in private houses, and in the 
only schoolhouse in the village, for 
nearly two years, when a room was fitted 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



217 



up in what has been known as the Grif- 
fin mill. Up to this time no regular 




Free Baptist Church, Lakeport. 

preaching services were held. Rev. 
Mr. Brooks came as often as he could 
be spared from his work at Laconia, 
and a supply was occasionally obtained 
from other sources. Several new mem- 
bers had been received, and the ser- 
vices of Rev. John Pettingal were se- 
cured for every other Sabbath. He 
was followed by Rev. William Johnson. 
Rev. Uriah Chase became regular pas- 
tor in 1843, anc l tne church increased 
in numbers. A new chapel was built 
on Main street by B. J. Cole and John 
Davis, father of Olin S. Davis, 
where for several years the meetings 
were held, or until 1852, when a meet- 
ing-house was erected on Park street. 

During the time the church occupied 
the chapel the pulpit was occupied by 
Revs. W. H. Waldron, Smith Fairfield, 
Kinsman R. Davis, J. L. Sinclair, and 
K/ekiel True. It was largely through 
the instrumentality of Ezekiel True that 
the old church edifice on Park street 



was built in 1852. He was succeeded 
by Revs. J. A. Knowles, S. D. Church, 
Hosea Quinby, C. B. Peckham, 
M. C. Henderson, 1 1. S. Kimball, 
J. W. Scribner, Carter E. Cate, 
E. W. Ricker, E. W. Porter, and 
the present pastor. Rev. YV. 11. 
Getchell. The first church edi- 
fice was destroyed by tire on the 
morning of Dec. 15, 1890, and the 
day following was a blue day in 
the annals of this church. It had 
been burdened by debts which had 
just been lifted, and was, at the 
time of the fire, building an exten- 
sion to the edifice to enlarge the 
seating capacity of the auditorium. 
There was but very little insur- 
ance, and the people felt rather 
poor in purse, but they were rich 
in faith, and with such a leader as 
the Rev. William H. Getchell they 
were bound to succeed, for it was 
through his earnest efforts largely, 
backed up by a faithful church 
membership, and attended by the 
blessing of God, that the present 
beautiful and commodious edifice 
was erected. Mr. Gurnsey, of 
Montpelier, Yt., was its architect 
and builder, and its cost was about $20.- 




Rev. William II. Getchell. 

000.00, including fixtures. The beauti- 
ful memorial windows on either side 



2l8 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



were presented by Mrs. Daniel Davis, 
Olin S. Davis, and his mother, and the 
front windows were given by the Sun- 
day-school in honor of Joseph L. Odell, 
who, for more than thirty years, had 
been the much-loved and highly-es- 
teemed superintendent of the school. 
Other beautiful furnishings were do- 
nated by private individuals. The se- 
lection of colors, for the interior fur- 
nishings, was under the direction of 
Pastor Getchell and wife, and the 
money for carpets and cushions was 
raised by the ladies of the church. All 
worked together with a will, and in 
perfect harmony, and felt repaid for 
their labors when the chairman of the 
building committee, Hon. H. B. Quinby, 
presented the keys to the executive com- 
mittee of the church, and declared the 
society to be free from debt. It was a 
memorable day when the present church 
edifice was dedicated. May 27, 1892. 
May it stand long to beautify and bless 
the city ! 

REV. WM. H. GETCHELL. 

Rev. William H. Getchell, present 
pastor of the Park Street Free Baptist 
church, Lakeport, was born in North 
Berwick, Me., Sept. 6, 1854. He be- 
came a Christian at the early age of 
fifteen, and from that time on was 
actively engaged in Christian work, and 
a great helper in his home church. From 
counter to pulpit has run the line of his 
life. His training or education for the 
ministry was obtained in the schools at 
Saco, Pittsfield, and Lewiston, Me., he 
being a graduate of the Cobb Divinity 
school, Lewiston. He was ordained to 
the ministry July 15, 1886, but had been 
licensed to preach some years previous, 
and had had a pastorate at Sabattus, 
Me., three and one half years. After 
remaining in Sabattus another year after 
his ordination, he accepted a call from 
the Park Street church, where he has 
served as pastor more than eleven and 
one half years, during which time many 
changes have taken place. A new 
church edifice and a beautiful parsonage 
have been built. In this time Mr. 
Getchell has married one hundred 



sixty-nine couples, attended three hun- 
dred fifty-five funerals, baptized one 
hundred twenty-four persons, and re- 
ceived one hundred seventy-two to church 
membership. Not only his church 
has his willing care, but he endeavors 
to help build up the cause of Christ 
all about him. He has served as presi- 
dent of the New Hampshire yearly 
meeting of Free Baptists, also as vice- 
president, missionary superintendent, 
and president of the New Hampshire 
State Christian Endeavor society ; and, 
as has been truly said of him, " With 
old and young alike he is a magnet that 
never fails to draw, in the pulpit and 
out of it." 



First Free Baptist Church. 



This church was organized March 17, 
1838, by the Rev. Nahum Brooks, who 
was for the six ensuing years its pastor. 
It worshiped in the court-house till Jan. 
6, 1 84 1, when, considerably increased 
in numbers and material substance, it 
was able to dedicate a meeting-house of 
its own, on Court square. This was a 
substantial structure, with seating ac- 
commodations for about three hundred. 
It was remodeled and enlarged in 1873, 
at a cost of nearly $12,000. Four years 
later it was reduced to ashes, with no 




Rev. John B. Jordan. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



2 19 




Freewill Baptist Church. 

insurance. But " the people had a mind 
to work," and in just thirteen months — 
November, 187S — the present edifice 
was dedicated, free of debt. It stands 
on the original site, with seating capacity 
for seven hundred, has modern furnish- 
ings, and represents $15,000. 

The church has encouraged long pas- 
torates. That of the Rev. Lewis Mal- 
vern was in two installments, which 
aggregated about twenty years, during 
which the new sanctuary was built and 
the working power of the church greatly 
increased. His immediate successor, the 
Rev. John B. Jordan, began his pastor- 
ate with September, 1897. He is not 
only sustaining the congregation, which 
frequently taxes the full capacity of the 
auditorium, but is adding families to his 
parish, members to his church, and effi- 
ciency to all departments of Christian 
work. He is also a potent factor of the 
religions commonwealth at large. 

The church is a fair exponent of what 
a Congregational clergyman once as- 
serted of the denomination which it 
represents: "It is on the right side of 
all moral questions, and on the evan- 



gelical side of all contro- 
verted doctrines." 

REV. JOHN" B. JORDAN. 

Rev. John 1!. Jordan, pas- 
tor of the first Free Bap 
tist church, spent his boy- 
hood and school-days in 
Auburn. Me. In 1X6S he 
entered the employment of 
the First National hank of 
Auburn, in which institu- 
tion he was bookkeeper and 
teller for six years, when he 
was elected cashier. He 
held this position for more 
than eight years, when he 
resigned in order to give 
his whole time to the min- 
istry. He was ordained in 
May. 1SS2, and has held 
pastorates in Lewiston, Me.. 
Minneapolis. Minn.. Augus- 
ta, Me.. Pawtucket, R. I., 
and in this city. For two 
years before coming to La- 

conia he was engaged in evangelistic 

work. 



St, James Episcopal Church. 



St. James Episcopal church on Pleas- 
ant street was built in 1894 by Rev. Dr. 

Lucius Waterman, who came here from 
Littleton, erected the church building, 
and organized an Episcopal church. 
The building and lot cost between $1 1 .- 




st. James Epi a I hurch. 



220 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ooo and $12,000. Dr. Waterman re- 
signed his pastorate about a year ago, 
in order to devote more attention to lit- 
erary work, and the church at the pres- 
ent time is without a regular settled 
pastor. 



First M. E. Church. 



The First Methodist Episcopal church 
is, as an organization, thirty-eight years 
old. The building occupied by this 
society is older still, having been origin- 
ally the property of a Universalist church. 
The Methodists bought the building. 

On the 1st of April, 1861, the first 
quarterly conference of this church was 
held, with James Pike, presiding elder, 
in the chair. The original members of 
the church and quarterly conference 
were : Hiram Gilman, S. C. Gilman, and 
R. T. Martin. At the annual confer- 
ence, which met a few clays thereafter, 
Rev. G. W. H. Clark was appointed by 
the bishop as pastor of the new church 
at Laconia. Of the persons here named, 
only R. T. Martin is now living. At an 
advanced aire, he maintains the keenest 





Methodist Episcopal Church. 



Rev. A. L. Smith. 

interest in all the affairs of the church, 
of which he is the only surviving char- 
ter member. 

This church has been served by 
twenty different pastors, whose average 
term of service has been about two 
years. The present pastor has just 
commenced his fourth year. 

It may truthfully be said that few 
churches have met graver obstacles, or 
passed through severer reverses than 
has the First Methodist church of this 
city ; yet it has maintained an uninter- 
rupted activity from its birth to the 
present time, and is stronger to-day 
than for several years past. All its bills 
are paid up to date, its membership is 
steadily increasing, it has a large body 
of children and youth, its several de- 
partments of work are well organized 

and officered, and it feels the pulse- 
beat of a true Christian hope and 
purpose. 

REV. A. L. SMITH. 

Mr. Smith was born in Salisbury, 
Mass., a town that falls within the 
limits of the New Hampshire Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. His father was a member 
of that conference for fifty years, 
and was pastor of the Methodist 
church in Salisbury when the sub- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ject of this sketch was horn. A. L. 
Smith was educated in the public 
schools of Concord, N. II. (at a time 
when his father was the chaplain of the 
New Hampshire state prison), and later 
was graduated from the Wesleyan uni- 
versity of Middletown, Conn. He taught 
in Connecticut for three years following 
graduation, and then, after brief ser- 
vice as a " local preacher," joined the 
New Hampshire conference in 1887, 
and has been an active member — /. e., 
an itinerant preacher — in that confer- 
ence ever since. His stations have 
been Rumney, Auburn and Chester, 
Newfields, and Laconia. Mr. Smith's 
ministry here commenced in April, 1896, 
and he has just been appointed for the 
year ending in April, 1900. 



Church of the Sacred Heart, 

Early in the history of Laconia many 
French Canadians came here to live, 
and they formed so large a part of the 
Catholic population, that in July, 1891, 
the bishop organized them into a sepa- 
rate parish. Rev. John Monge was ap- 
pointed pastor, and services were held 




for a short time in Moulton opera house. 
Rev. Father Monge at once began to 
raise money fur the erection of a church 
building, and 
in 1892 the 
present paro- 
chial residence 
and five acres 
of land on Un- 
ion a v e n u e 
were purchas- 
ed, at a cost of 
$10,000. In 
1893 the pres- 
ent church edi- 
fice, the Sacred 
Heart, was 
completed at a 
cost of S30,- 
000, an Lmposin 
brick, and handsomely decorated in the 
interior. This parish has a membership 
of about two hundred families. 

Rev. Father Monge was born in 
France, in 1838. He was educated at 
Nimes and Paris, and ordained to the 
priesthood in Paris, before coming to 
Laconia he was curate at St. Augustine's, 
in Manchester, and also at Salmon Falls. 
He was for some time parish 
priest at Marlborough. N. H. 




Rev. Father Monge. 



structure, built of 



French Catholic Church. 



First Unitarian Church. 

The First Unitarian church 
of Laconia is the outgrowth oi 
the First Universalist church of 
Meredith bridge, which was or- 
ganized July 19, 1S38. 

In 1 867, after the parish had 
been served l>y several Unita- 
rian ministers, and as Unitari- 
ans constituted the majority of 
its membership, the corporation 
name of the parish was changed 
to that of the First Unitarian 
Church of Laconia. The par- 
ish continued to worship in the 
old Universalist meeting-house 
(now the Methodist church 
building) until the completion 
of the present edifice in Bank 
Square, which was dedicated 
Nov. 11. [868. The new church 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



building was completed during the bril- 
liant ministry of Rev. Thos. B. Gor- 
man, and among those associated with 
him in the work of advancing the inter- 
ests of liberal religion were Woodbury 
Melcher, Joseph Ranlet, John C. Moul- 
ton, Jos. S. Tilton, Col. T. J. Whipple, 
Woodbury L. Melcher. E. P. Jewell, 
Geo. W. Stevens, S. T. Thomas, Benj. 
P. Gale, Perley Putnam, Harriet Gale, 
Mary T. Hull, G. V. Pickering, Hor- 
ace Whitcher, D. J. Dinsmore, H. E. 
Brawn, Rev. J. P. Atkinson, Thomas 
Sands. 

Mr. Gorman's successors in the pas- 
torate were C. Y. De Normandie in 
1869, Clarence Fowler in 1873, James 
Collins in 1874, Enoch Powell in 1878, 
John D. Wells in 1SS1, John N. Pardee 
in 1884, N. S. Hill in 1888, James B. 
Morrison in 1890, Geo. Heber Rice in 
1896. 

This church accepts the religion of 





Unitarian Church. 



Rev. George Heber Rice. 

Jesus, holding in accordance with His 
teaching that practical religion is 
summed up in love to God and love 
to man. While imposing no credal 
subscription, it believes in the father- 
hood of God, the brotherhood of man, 
the leadership of Jesus, the immortal- 
ity of the soul, the progress of man- 
kind onward and upward forever. 

Its object is to seek and proclaim 
truth along the highest lines of the 
spiritual consciousness ; to keep in 
step with the advancing hosts of schol- 
ars and scientists and of all gifted, 
honest men and women who are striv- 
ing to aid humanity in its efforts to 
grow in knowledge ; to interpret the 
Bible as the supreme literature of the 
religious life ; to emphasize the dig- 
nity of human nature as the highest 
manifestation in this world of the Cre- 
ator's love and wisdom ; to affirm the 
priceless worth of the soul and the 
impossibility of its ever becoming 
lost or separated from God. It wel- 
comes to its fellowship all who are in 
sympathy with these high aims, all 
who believe in intellectual and spir- 
itual freedom as the highest outcome 
of the religious life. 

The present officers of this church 
are : Rev. G. H. Rice, minister ; W. F. 
Knight, president; John Ashman, 
treasurer ; Miss Carrie B. Cooke, sec- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN 



retary ; Geo. 
Gorrell, Chas. 



H. Everett, Horace H. 
F. Stone, trustees. 



REV. CEo. HEBER RICE. 

Rev. Geo. Heber Rice was born in 
Elmira. N. V.. Dec. 28, [858. On the 
paternal side he is of Welsh-English 
ancestry and on the maternal of Eng- 
lish. 

His father was born at Meriden, 
Conn., in 181 7, and his mother at 
Springfield, Mass., in 1S22. Upon 
their marriage they took up their resi- 
dence in Elmira. N. Y., where the sub- 
ject of this sketch attended the graded 
schools, preparing for college at the 
Elmira academy. Upon being gradu- 
ated from Hamilton college, N. Y., he 
entered the Auburn (N. Y. ) Theological 
seminary, and upon graduation from 
that institution went to Texas and was 
ordained to the ministry in San An- 
tonio. 

In 1 889 he was married to Miss 
Clara Ree Baldwin of Columbus, Ohio. 
They have one son, Heber Baldwin 
Rice, born May 5, 1892. 

In 1890 Mr. Rice decided to enter 
the Unitarian ministry and was received 
into its fellowship at Denver, Col. He 
has held three Unitarian pastorates, the 
first being at Marietta, Ohio; the sec- 
ond at Stockton, Cal., and the third at 
Laconia, N. H., to which place he came 
in 1896. 

To be a good teacher and leader of 
liberal thought means hard work. Mr. 
Rice has a strong and courageous mind 
and a keen insight into the deep things 
of life. He is gifted as few men are 
with the power of expressing his 
thoughts upon whatever subject he may 
be engaged, and is thoroughly imbued 
with the true spirit of Unitarianism. 
He has done a great work for the lib- 
eral church in Laconia, especially in re- 
organizing and placing the society in a 
stronger and healthier condition. No 
work is ever too great for him to under- 
take, and no one can fail to find in him 
a true Christian gentleman and a faith- 
ful follower of the master. Whether his 
stay may be long or short, his ministry 
here will live forever in this community, 



and it is hoped the day is far distant 
when he will be called to other fields of 
labor. 



Baptist Church in Lakeport. 

This was the first religious organiza- 
tion in this community. The organi- 
zation was effected in 181 1. The first 
meeting-house of the 
body, of a simple, barn- 
frame construction, was 
erected in 1833, on the 
site occupied by the 
present edi- 
fice. In [850 
a vestibule and 




Baptist Church. 

tower were added to the primitive struc- 
ture. Between the years of 1868 and 
187 1 the present edifice, with its archi- 
tecturally beautiful front and tower, re- 
placed the old house of worship. 

Among the members of this body well 
deserving of honorable mention, there is 
one who, on account of her timely and 
munificent gifts, may not be omitted 
from an historical sketch of the organi- 
zation. We refer to Mrs. Emeline S. 
Taylor, recently deceased. Of the sev- 
enteen pastorates within its history, the 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



two of K. S. Hall are most notable. The 
present incumbent, the Rev. Geo. F. 
Babbitt, is the sixteenth who has served 
this body, he being its acting pastor 
since September, 1897. 



St. Joseph's Church. 



Among the first Catholic residents of 
Laconia and Lakeport were John O'Shea 
who came here in 1858, and 
Michael Scott, also a family by 
the name of O'Neil. At Lake- 
port at that time there were sev- 
eral Catholic families, among 
whom were the Dunlaveys, Mur- 
phys, Harringtons, and the Leav- 
itts. Ever faithful to their relig- 
ion, these Catholic settlers held 
meetings whenever possible. At 
first the services were held at 
the home of some of these famil- 
ies, the first meetings being held 
at the residence of John O'Shea, 
who at that time resided on Water 
street. Rev. Father Daley was 
the first priest who visited here, 
and after 185S meetings were 
held in Folsom hall until a church 
was built. In 1866 land was purchased 
on Messer street, and in 1867 work was 
commenced on the building, which was 
dedicated by the Right Rev. D. W. Ba- 




con, as St. Joseph's 
church. This was 
during the pastorate 
of Rev. Isadore Noi- 
seux. In the sum- 
mer of 1S77, during 
a terrific thunder- 
storm, the spire of 
the church was struck 
by liirhtnincr. and the 





Kev. Charles R. Hennon. 



St. Joseph's Catholic Church. 

entire edifice destroyed by fire. Rev. J. 
L. Schakers was pastor at that time, and 
by his energy' and the loyal assistance 
of the members of the parish, a new 
building was erected upon the founda- 
tions of the old one, at an expense of 
$10,000. The following pastors have 
officiated at St. Joseph's church : Rev. 
Isadore Noiseux, who was the first resi- 
dent priest. He was followed in 1871 
by Rev. John W. Murphy. In April, 
1872, Rev. M. J. Goodwin was appointed 
to Laconia, and he served until October, 
1S77. In December, 1877, Rev. J. L. 
Schakers, or Father Lambert as he was 
called, came here and served until his 
death, March, 1895. He was followed 
by Rev. John R. Power, who took 
charge in April, 1895, and remained 
here until his death, April 16, 1898. 
The present pastor of St. Joseph's is 
Rev. Charles R. Hennon, who came 
here January 20, 1899. 

The church now has a membership 
of about 150 families, and besides the 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



church edifice also owns a parochial 
residence and lot on Messer street, as 
well as the convent and school property 
on Beacon street. 



People's Christian Church. 

The People's church was formally 
organized July 3, [892, with seventy- 
five members, and the court-house was 
obtained for the place of worship. After 
maintaining a successful existence in- 
dependent of all ecclesiastical bodies 
until it was no longer considered an 
experiment, in October, [893, it united 
with the Christian denomination and 
became the People's Christian church. 

A large majority'of the original mem- 
bers had formerly been Methodist Epis- 
copal, but among those who soon joined 
by letter were representatives of eight 
distinct denominations, with creeds 
somewhat dissimilar, hence it seemed 
very appropriate to belong to a religious 
body discarding all creeds and accept- 
ing the Bible as its only standard. 

In the spring of 1894, the society 
purchased from the county the court- 
house, and moved it to the present site, 
where it was dedicated to the service of 
God; thus the old temple, where justice 
was so long dispensed, is rounding out 




Rev. (ohn E. Eveiingham. 

its years with the vibrations ol the gos- 
pel within its sacred walls. 

Rev. J. 11. Haines was the lust pas- 
tor, and remained in that capacity until 
his death; Rev. 1''.. K. Colburn main- 
tained a pastorate for a little more than 
a year; and Rev. J. E. Everingham, the 
present pastor, is the third shepherd of 
the Mock. The church has a present 
membership of 150. maintains three 
Christian Endeavor societies, senior, 
intermediate, and junior — and has an 




l'. ople's Church. 



•5 



22b 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



average attendance in the Sabbath- 
school of about eighty-five. 

The Christians, as a denomination, 
had their origin about a century ago. 
Three little companies of ministers, far 
remote and unknown to each other, 
separated from their respective and dis- 
tinct denominations for conscience sake, 
and finally came together in one body, 
organized upon the broadest principles, 
having no creed save the holy Bible, no 
qualifications for membership save faith 
in the vicarious atonement and a con- 
sistent Christian life, and no name save 
that authorized by Scripture — Christian. 
Its motto is : In essential things, unity ; 
in non-essential things, liberty ; and in 
all things, charity. 

REV. JOHN E. EVERINGHAM. 

Rev. John E. Everingham, pastor of 
the People's Christian church since Sep- 
tember, 1896, has been in active minis- 
try for fourteen years, and was settled 
over the Christian Church of the Evan- 
gel, Brooklyn, N. Y., before coming to 
Laconia. He was born in Kiswick, 
Ontario, Oct. 7. 1861, educated in the 
schools of his native town, and after- 
wards spent nearly four years in the 
Christian Biblical institute, Sanfordville. 
N. Y., the principal theological school 
of his denomination. Mr. Everingham 
married Miss Florence M. Coleman of 
Portsmouth, nine years ago, and two 
children bless their union. Since com- 
ing to Laconia, twenty-eight have united 
with the church. As a preacher, he is 
earnest, faithful, and fearless, preferring 
to please God rather than man. In 
politics he is a Prohibitionist, and in all 
things Christian. 



Trinity M. E. Church, Lakeport. 



The M. E. church of Lake Village 
was organized June 15,1872. On this 
date, Rev. B. W. Chase, pastor of the 
Laconia M. E. church, granted church 
letters to the following persons, in order 
that they might be organized into a 
Methodist Episcopal church at Lake 
Village : Henry H. Buzzell, Mary A. 
Buzzell, Almira P. Homan, Lizzie Ho- 




Rev. Jonathan R. Dinsmore. 

man, Lorenzo W. Downing, Martha 
Downing, Lizzie Dame, Sarah Gaskill, 
Jeremiah Homan, Abigail Kimball, 
Sarah Palmer. Albeit Whitten, Elmira 
Whitten, Ebenezer Woodman, Harriet 
Woodman. 

These persons were formed into a 
church and the quarterly conference or- 
ganized on the above date at the house 
of Albert Whitten by Rev. S. G. Kel- 
logg, presiding elder. 

This organization continued with 
varying fortunes until March 7, 1S77, 
when, for the time being, the last quar- 
terly conference was held. 

The pastors for this period were : 
1872, W. C. Bartlett ; i873-'74, C. W. 
Tebbetts ; 1S75. ( ). T. Lovejoy. 

In response to an invitation by the 
Methodists of Lake Village, they were 
reorganized into a church, March 31, 
188 1, by Rev. J. W. Adams, presiding 
elder. 

The church re-cords show a contin- 
ued growth in numbers and financial 
strength until 1896, when the member- 
ship is reported as 112, and the Sunday- 
school, 1 10. 

Since that time until the present, the 
membership and financial strength have 
decreased, resulting chiefly from the 
continued financial depression which 
has been felt with great severity in Lake- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACOXIAX. 



■7 



port, making it necessary for many of our 
people to seek employment elsewhere. 

Prior to May 17-. 1891, the meetings 
were held in what had been the Advent 
chapel on Cold street. In 18S9 the 
people said. " The place is too strait for 
us, let ns arise and build." According- 
ly, in the quarterly conference held 
.March 15 of that year, the pastor, 
1 ). W. Downs, reported that a lot of 
land upon which to build a church had 
been secured. After more than two 
years of heroic struggle, a church build- 
ing, which is a credit to Methodism. 
was completed and ready for occupancy. 
The first service in the new house of 
worship was held Sunday. May 24. 
1 89 1. The dedicatory service was held 
on February 16, 1892. 

The following have been the pastors 
during this period: t88i-'82, N. ('. 
Alger; 1883, A. C. Hardy; 1884. J. H. 
Trow; 1885-87, William Woods; 1888- 
'90, D. W. Downs: 1891 '92, L. R. 
Danforth; i893-*9v W. J. VVilkins; 
1896, G. W. Farmer; 1897 '98, C. E. 
Eaton; 1S99, J. R. Dinsmore. 

REV. JONATHAN RO\ DINSMORE. 

Rev. Jonathan Roy Dinsmore was 
born in New Haven, 
Conn., Oct. 20. 1870. His 
father. Charles C. Dins- 
more, and his mother. Vi- 
ola Hanscomb, were na- 
tives of New Hampshire. 
He was the youngest of 
four children, two of whom 
died in infancy. The old- 
est is now living in ( Hare- 



,"• 




tffS A 

;* <■«■.. .. 

llliillllllllll 




mont. N. H. Mr. Dinsmore took his 
academic training in the Claremont 
(X. I l.i High school, at the Pittsfield 
( Mass. ) High school, at Dow academy, 
Franconia, and in the N. H. Conference 
seminary at Tilton. 

In the fall of 1890 he began preach- 
ing as a supply al West Stew artstow n. 
N. H.. and continued in ministerial 
work in connection with his schooling. 

In [895 he joined the X. H. confer- 
ence, having served four years prior to 
that as a local preacher. His appoint- 
ments have been : Swiftwater and ben- 
ton, 1 895 -'96 ; North Haverhill. 1897— 
'98 ; Trinity church, Laconia, 1899. 

In June. 1894, he united in marriage 
with Man- A., youngest daughter of 
Rev. and Mrs. D. C. Babcock, now of 
I )over. 



The Laconia Y. M. C. A. 



Methodist Church, Lakeporl 



The Association was organized in the 
parlors of the Free Will Baptist church. 
Feb. 26. 1886. Its first quarters were 
on the second floor in Smith's blink. 
In several years it took rooms on the 
third floor in the first National Bank 
building. 

Two years ago the needs of the 
work led the board of directors to en- 
gage the Inst and second floors in 
Edwards block on Mill St. 

A gymnasium and reading-room 
are on the first floor. I >n the second 
floor you will find a library and so- 
cial rooms with a kitchen for use at 
suppers. 

The presidents who have served 
the Association in tlie order of their 
election are Dr. A. II. ( '. fewett, G. 
II. Mitchell. ('. A. Dunn. H. W. Ca- 
rey, and R. ( '. 1 lickey. 

The general secretaries were Thom- 
as Johnson, I I. W. ( 'a rev. |. M. Ropes, 
W. R. Goddard, A. ( '. 'Hunt. 

The Woman's Auxiliary have per- 
formed able sen ii e in the Associa- 
tion. 

They have purchased an excellent 
piano, furniture, crockery, silverware, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



and other useful and ornamental arti- 
cles. 

The membership of the Association 
has averaged some over a hundred. 
Seventy boys were at one time mem- 
bers of the boys' branch. 



Rev. Frederick L. Wiley. 



By so much as pure Scotch and 
English ancestry are of worth, the subject 




Rev. Frederick L. \Yilev. 



of this sketch entered at birth upon a 
goodly heritage. He was born in New 
York, spent a portion of his youth in 



Boston, and was educated at New 
Hampton Institution, Hillsdale college, 
and what is now Cobb Divinity school. 
He has held important Free Baptist pas- 
torates in Vermont, Maine, and New 
Hampshire. As a pastor, Mr. Wiley 
has been specially successful in the or- 
ganization of church forces, the pay- 
ment of church debts, the improvement 
of church property, and the increase of 
church membership. He has retained 
his studious habits and his pulpit efforts 
have been well sustained. 

Since failing health incapacitated him 
for general parish work he has been a 
permanent resident of Laconia. No- 
ticing that the young men of the city 
had no common place where they might 
spend a bit of spare time except in re- 
sorts of " lewd fellows of the baser sort," 
he suggested, and helped organize, the 
Young Men's Christian Association of 
Laconia. He was for a term its treas- 
urer and has always given it practical 
support. For the last ten years Mr. 
Wiley has been secretary of the Evan- 
gelical Ministers' Conference of this 
city. He has conducted religious ser- 
vices as a pulpit supply, as health would 
allow, and has spent most of his secular 
time in literary and benevolent work. 
For years he has held important eccle- 
siastical secretaryships and is now de- 
veloping biographical and historical work 
in the interests of his denomination. 




Profile Rock, The Weirs. 




THE WEIRS- 




■■- ■ 




The Weirs and vicinity, which is 
within the city limits of Laconia, at the 
outlet of Lake Winnipesaukee, has been 
famous as a summer resort, further hack. 
undoubtedly, than any historical or trad- 
itional records exist. Long before the 
Massachusetts colonists sent the first par- 
ty of white men to the 
shores of the lake, the 
W i n n i p e s a u k e es, 
a branch of the Pen- 
acook tribe of Indians, 
built and maintained a 
permanent fish-weir in 
the channel at the out- 
let of the lake, and 
here in the spring and 
fall of each year, all 
the red men in this 
section of the state 
would gather to par- 
take of the shad which 
ran up the river from 
the ocean into the lake 
in the spring and re- 
turned to salt water in 
the fall. Large num- 
bers of these fish were 
taken in the rude weir, 
and dried and smoked 
for winter use. The 
weir was maintained 
for many years after 
the white men came 
here, and large loads 
of these fish were used 
to enrich the land of 
the early farmers. The numerous dams 
on the Merrimack river 
the annual run of sha( 




menced holding summer camp-meetings 

at The Weirs, and in 1879 the New 
Hampshire Veterans' Association held 
their first annual reunion here. The 
first hotel, or rather boarding-house, 
was erected on the Methodist grounds, 
on the present location of the Lakeside 
House. It was prin- 
cipally for the accom- 
modation of the Meth- 
odist people and there 
were but eight sleep- 
ing rooms at fust. 

T h e establishment 
was inadequate to meet 
the constantly increas- 
ing demands, and fi- 
nal 1 y the Lakeside 
House was erected by 
L. R. & ('.. W. Weeks. 
Then the late ('apt. 
W. A. Sanborn pulled 
down the old hotel at 
1 )iamond island, f a r 
down the lake, and 
used a portion of the 
material to construct 
Hotel Weirs, which 
hostelry has g r o w n 
into the magnificent 
new Hotel Weirs of 
to-day, one of the larg- 
est and most elegant 
hotels in the entire 
lake region. 

The progress of The 
Weirs during the past 






Soldiers' Monum< nt, 

Presented to the city by Mis. |. F. Zebley. 

, ■ , .... ,. ^.. ... & v. 

ten or fifteen years has been exceed- 
inally stopped ingly steady and substantial. The state 
and' then for of New Hampshire and the railroad cor- 
y ears The Weirs was merely a stopping poration have assisted the Veterans As- 
place for the steamer. Lady of the Lake, so< iation in fitting up their grounds and 
which connected at this point with the erected suitable structures for then- 
old Boston, Concord & Montreal Rail- annual gatherings in August. Many of 
road. the regimental associations have large 
Soon after 1S70. the Methodists com- and handsome buildings for the use oi 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



23 



their members. Over in the Methodist 

grove, on the shore of the lake, there 
are hundreds of handsome cottages 

which are occupied during the summer 
by their owners, while the Winnipesau- 
kee Camp-Meeting Association has laid 
out streets and avenues, provided a sys- 
tem of water works, etc. The Metho- 
dist grove and the 
Veterans' grove are 
occupied nearly all 
the time in the sum- 
mer season by vari- 
ous religions associ- 
ations. while the New 
Hampshire Musi c 
Teachers' Assoc i a - 
tion have a tine large 
pavilion for their 
annual musical festival, which is one of 
the summer attractions at The Weirs. 
An electric railroad now connects The 
Weirs with Lakeport and Laconia, while 
the place boasts of numerous other ad- 
vantages and attractions .such as tele- 
graph and telephone facilities, hundreds 







Steamer Mt. ! I 'ashington 



and numerous boarding-houses, where 
good accommodations can he obtained. 

A lew words on beautiful Lake Win- 
nipesaukee may not he out of place in 
connection with The Weirs. The lake 
lies in the counties of Belknap and 
Carroll, and is about twenty-five miles 
long, and varies from one to seven 
miles in width. Its 
a r e a . exclusive oi 
two hundred a n d 
seventy-four islands, 
is upwards of sev- 
enty- one squ a r e 
miles, and the dis- 
l a n c e around i t s 
shores is one hun- 
dred and eighty-two 

miles. There are 
ten islands which have an area of more 
than one hundred acres each, and Long 
Island has an area of one thousand 
acres. The lake is four hundred and 
seventy-two feet above the level of the 
Atlantic ocean. The waters of the lake 
are very clear and pure, abounding with 



lb 




Railroad Station, The Weirs! 

of row, sail, and steamboats, excursions fish of all kinds, and Winnipesaukee is 

to all parts of the lake, good train and becoming more noted every year as .1 

steamboat service, etc. resort for fishermen from all parts of 

besides the two hotels mentioned, the New England. 
New Hotel Weirs and the Lakeside, there Nearly all of the islands have one or 

are half a do/en other smaller hotels more summer cottages. man_\- of them 



232 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



substantial and in some cases elegant 
structures, and The Weirs is the centre 
for a very large proportion of the sum- 
mer cottagers, fishermen, and tourists. 
For many years the old-fashioned horse- 
boats were in frequent use on the lake 
to transport wood, grain, and other 
merchandise, the hrst of these curious 
craft being constructed in 1838, but 
the advent of the steamboat in 1842 
gradually drove the horse-boat into dis- 
use, and to-day transportation is fur- 
nished by hundreds of beautiful steam 
and naphtha craft of all sizes. 

From the red man's fishing ground 
and a mere camp-ground for a week or 



account of the beautiful grove of health- 
giving pines, its convenience to station, 
steamboat landing, etc. Its nearness to 
the shore of the lake suggested its name. 
The first hotel contained eight sleeping 
apartments as an addition to a rough 
unfinished Methodist boarding-house, 
and was built by Levi R Weeks, brother 
of the present proprietor, and run by 
him very successfully for three years. 

In 1880 George W. Weeks united 
with his brother and the present house 
was erected, which, constantly growing 
in popularity, has each year been en- 
larged or improved, until at the present 
date it stands one of the most popular 




^BHHJHBni 



The Lakeside House. 



ten daws in the summer, The Weirs has 
grown to be one of the most important 
and widely known summer resorts in 
New England. It is constantly increas- 
ing in valuation by the erection of new 
cottages and other improvements, and 
the place is undoubtedly permanently 
established as a summer home for thou- 
sands of the tired and overworked resi- 
dents of our larger cities. 



The Lakeside House. 



In the earliest history of The Weirs as 
a summer resort, the site of the Lakeside 
House was chosen as the most desira- 
ble location for a hotel, principally on 



summer homes to be found in New 
Hampshire ; noted for its cleanliness, 
excellent service, and homelike attrac- 
tiveness, equipped with modern con- 
veniences, electric bells, bath rooms, 
perfect sanitary arrangements, and re- 
freshing spring water. One remarka- 
ble feature and a delightful wonder to 
all sojourners is the absence of mosqui- 
toes and flies, which so often trouble 
the summer guest. One can sit on the 
broad verandas of the Lakeside House, 
day or evening, in perfect tranquility. 
Malaria is also unknown ; air, pure and 
invigorating. 

" In the Lakeside pines there lurks no ill, 
But fragrant balsam all pain to still." 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



233 



The house contains seventy-five sleep- 
ing rooms and a spacious dining hall, 
and with its several adjoining cottages 
can easily accommodate two hundred 
guests. The property accumulated by 
Mr. Weeks in these years of prosperity 
includes in addition to the hotel : Five 
cottages, casino, with pool and billiard 
tables, two restaurants, grocery store, 
barber's shop, printing office, meat mar- 
ket, and livery stable. 

In 1882, the late L. R. Weeks gave 
up to the disease which had been prey- 
ing upon his constitution for a number 
of years, leaving the business in which 
he had taken such a deep interest to 



continued in the same business live 
years, since which time his summer res- 
idence has been at The Weirs. 

Always prominent as a worker in pol- 
ities and voting in Gilford or Laconia 
with the exception of three years, he 
was postmaster three terms and repre- 
sented Ward 1 in the fust city council. 
He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows. 

In 1867, he was married to Lizzie 
Sinclair, daughter of Jonathan M. Sin- 
clair of Brentwood, N. H. Mrs. Weeks 
is by profession an artist, and the work 
of her brush and her artistic taste have 
contributed much to the charm and 
attractiveness of the hotel, besides the 




Mrs. George \V. We 



George W. Weeks, Jr., who has since 
been sole manager and proprietor of the 
Lakeside House. This pioneer of The 
Weirs, son of George William Weeks, 
was born in Gilford, removing at twelve- 
years of age with his father to Lake- 
port. Here he received his early edu- 
cation and also attended Tilton semi- 
nary. G. W. Weeks, Sr., was an active 
business man and engaged in various 
pursuits, and here the son acquired his 
first knowledge of hotel keeping; also 
the grocery business. Later he was 
engaged with brothers in the dry goods 
business at Laconia for twelve years, 
removing to Concord in 1875, where he 
16 



Georee W. Weeks 



many hundred souvenirs which have 
been taken away into all parts of the 
country in the form of oil and water 
color pictures and decorated china. A 
delightful exhibition of ait is constantly 
going on at the Lakeside House, and 
Mrs. Weeks finds there a ready sale for 
sketches of surrounding landscape and 
flowers, which are made in the early 
and later part of the season and per- 
fected at the winter residence in the 
capital city. No one person has con- 
tributed so much for the building up of 
The Weirs as George W. Weeks. Hotel 
keeping is his chosen profession, and 
The Weirs his •• Paradise on Earth." 



234 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



The New Hotel Weirs. 



Situated upon a commanding emi- 
nence, overlooking the world-famous 
Lake Winnipesaukee, at the gateway of 
the White Mountain region, stands Dr. 
J. A. Greene's " New Hotel Weirs," the 
most commodious and best hotel in the 
lake region. This hotel has been en- 
larged, improved, and entirely reno- 
vated and refurnished, with eighty new 
rooms, thirty of which are supplied with 
baths. Its sanitary arrangements are 
perfect. The proprietor. Dr. J. Alonzo 



is pure and bright, coming directly from 
the mountain springs, and a second sup- 
ply, for sprinkling, bathing, and fire 
protection, from the lake itself. The 
table is supplied daily with fresh vegeta- 
bles, milk, butter, and eggs from the 
famous Roxmont Poultry Farm and 
from the neighboring farmers. Spa- 
cious piazzas encircle the entire hotel, 
from which views of lake and mountains 
of unsurpassed magnificence are ob- 
tained. Electric cars leave the hotel 
grounds at frequent intervals for a five- 
mile ride to the city of Laconia. 



' 




New Hotel Weirs. 



Greene, and the manager, the ever-pop- 
ular and experienced landlord, Col. 
Freeman C. Willis, spare no pains or 
expense to make the New Hotel Weirs 
a model of comfort to its guests. It is 
fully equipped with electrical appliances 
and connected by telephone and tele- 
graph with the direct lines to various 
points. Its cuisine is excellent and up- 
to-date in every particular. A never- 
failing mineral spring is constantly flow- 
ing from a ledge of rocks on the hotel 
grounds. The water used in the hotel 



All trains and steamboats arrive at 
and depart from the station and wharves 
directly in front of the hotel grounds. 
The New Hotel Weirs has a fine 
billiard-room and tennis court con- 
nected, and an excellent orchestra fur- 
nishes good music. The climate is 
conceded by all to be the best, the 
mountain breezes being tempered by 
the moisture from the waters of the 
lake. Lake Winnipesaukee abounds 
with game fish of all kinds, and has 
been very properly christened the fish- 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



2 35 




ermen's paradise, all varieties of fresh- 
water fish being taken by anglers, in- 
cluding landlocked salmon, lake trout, 
black bass, pickerel, perch, etc. Steam 
yachts and row-boats can be engaged at 
the hotel office, and the lake affords 
excellent and safe bathing. Lake W'in- 
nipesaukee is unmatched in all the 
mountains for variety and picturesque- 
ness, and the New Hotel Weirs is 
unparalleled in New England for its 
comfort and great variety of attractions. 
The view obtained here is pronounced 
by travelers to be superior to anything 
of the kind to 
b e found i n 
the world. 

Four express 
trains leave the 
Union station 
on Cause w a y 
street, Boston, 
every day for 
The Weirs, with 
parlor and buf- 
fet cars attach- 
ed, thus ensur- 
ing perfect 
comfort in trav- 
el. Steamboats 
leaveTheWeirs 
every few hours 
for Centre Har- 
bor, Wolfebor- 
ough, Alton 
Bay, and all 
points on the 
lake, affording 
many delight- 
ful excursions. 

Lake YYinnipesaukee, on whose match- 
less shores Hotel Weirs is situated, is 
one of the most magnificent lakes in 
the world, surpassed by no American 
waters and rivaling in scenic beauty the 
far-famed Italian, Swiss, and Scottish 
lakes. Winnipesaukee is the name 
bestowed by the Indians, whose mean- 
ing, " The Smile of the Great Spirit." 
shows that even the untutored abo- 
rigines recognized that Omnipotence 
had placed the seal of its crowning 
glory upon this sparkling lake whose 
pelucid waters lave the foothills, an 






? 



Dr. J. A. Greene, Proprietor. 



advance -mud of the picturesque White 

Mountains. 

Perhaps we can give the reader no 
better idea of this summer paradise 
than to quote from a letter written by a 
guest of last season : 

"I had taken rooms at the famous Hotel 
Weirs and descended from the hot and dusty 
train into cool and delicionsly fragrant air. It 
was night, and such a night ! Never through 
life will the memory of that wondrous scene 
fade from my mind. Weir> was en file, and the 
spectacle was transcendent, dazzling, beautiful. 
It was as if I had been suddenly translated into 
fairyland. At the back rose the great hotel, its 
hundred windows aglow with the cordial light 
of welcome ; fes- 
toons of myriad 
flags and stream- 
ers waved in the 
soft breeze, while 
thousands of Chi- 
nese lanterns 
gleamed and twin- 
kled among the 
trees and up and 
down the long, 
wide pia/zas, fill- 
ed with bevies of 
radiantly dressed 
women, groups of 
men, and prome- 
naders. The soft 
strains of aStrauss 
waltz floated out 
upon the air from 
the hospit able, 
wide-open win- 
dows of the hotel 
parlors, and the 
laughter of merry 
dancers echoed 
the music ol the 
orchestra 

" All this was 
pleasure in its 
highest personifi- 
cation, but a cool- 
ing zephyr from 
the water, upon 
my heated brow, caused me to turn toward that 
famed lake, the lake of the poet, Whittier, the 
lake artists rave over, the ideal lake of the 
sportsman — Winnipesaukee — which I then saw 
for the first time and which was, indeed, the 
Smile of the Great Spirit. Never shall I for- 
get the shuddering ecstacy with which I drank 
in that wondrous scene. The hotel, the music, 
the life, the light, and gayety were instantly 
forgotten — lost in that amaze and reverent awe 
into which the human atom is plunged when 
brought face to face with the stupendous gran- 
deur of the Creator's mastei works of nature. 
" What pen can describe the sublimity of that 
picture, what pen portray its ineffable and trans- 
cendent beauty! For miles upon miles, in all 
directions, spread that marvelous sheet of 
water, dotted all over by the greenest isles that 



lfc&. 







236 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ever studded a blue sea ; the moon at her full 
rode high in a heaven unflecked by cloud or 
shadow, dropping, as it were, the diamonds of 
her light in brilliant reflection down upon the 
distant bosom of the lake, at first in a narrow 
streak of sniveling silver, ever widening, ever 
growing as in broadening band upon the shim- 
mering waters it approached the beholder in 
corruscations of living, liquid light, tossed, glow- 
ing and gleaming and glittering from myriad 
tiny waves like untold millions of limpid, re- 
splendent jewels; the soft air was cool and 
fragrant with pine and hemlock from every 
heavily wooded isle, bearing in every deep- 
drawn breath the balm of health ; at my feet the 
gentle ripples lapped musically upon the shore. 
Far away, glancing athwart the moonbeams on 
the water, were tiny pleasure yachts, their 



Tavern at The Weirs. David B. Story 
is one of the oldest and best known tav- 
ern-keepers in New Hampshire, and 
has also figured prominently in political 
and other circles of Laconia for many 
years. 

David B. Story is a native of Hop- 
kinton, N. H., born January 19, 1836. 

He was educated at Hopkinton acad- 
emy, and was married in 1857 to Sarah 
J. French, and has four children living : 
J. Henry, Fred W., Charles F., and 
Benjamin F. A daughter, Ada S., died 
in 1877. 




West End of Dinin?-Room, New Hotel Weirs. 



lights now showing, now lost to sight. Nearer 
land some young people in boats were idly 
drifting, the faint echoes of their joyous laugh- 
ter floating across the waters, while just off 
shore a great fish, belated by nightfall, broke 
water and disappeared, leaving only the rapidly 
widening circle where a moment before he had 
risen to some luckless fly. Such a scene! such 
a night! such a place ! I felt that here at last I 
had found the vacationist's paradise." 



Story's Tavern. 

Everybody who ever stopped long in 
Laconia knows " Dave " Story of Story's 



Mr. Story is a Unitarian, and a mera- 
of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, 
and the Amoskeag Veterans of Man- 
chester, New Hampshire's famous mili- 
tary organization. 

He is a veteran Democrat, and has 
served as sheriff of Belknap county, 
deputy sheriff, justice of the peace, 
selectman, member of the city council, 
and representative in the legislature. 

Mr. Story has been a hotel-keeper for 
thirty-six years, having been landlord of 
the Perkins House, Mt. Belknap House, 



THE ILLUSTRATED LAC "ON IAN. 



237 



Laconia House, Hotel Weirs, and at the 
present time welcomes his patrons at 
Story's Tavern, on Lakeside avenue at 
The Weirs. 

Story's Tavern is located on the shore 
of Lake Winnipesaukee, and situated in 
a grove directly facing the 
lake, and within two hundred 
feet of it, and having one of 
the finest views of the lake 
and mountains to be had at 
The Weirs. This hotel, al- 
though small, has all the com- 
forts of a larger house. 

The steamboat landings 
and depot are but one min- 
ute's walk from the hotel and 
in full view of the same. 

Nice fishing, boating, ex- 
cursions on the lake every 
day, and splendid drives. 

The motto is: " Small but Good." 

Terms from $7 to $10 per week. 
Transient $2 per day. 

Mr. Story's long connection with the 



stantial food and all the comforts whirl 
can be desired. 



Lake View House. 




D. B. Story 



The Lake View House at The Weirs 
is open from June 15 to Sep- 
tember 15, Robert C. Dickey, 
proprietor. The Weirs is the 
principal summer resort on 
the shores of the beautiful 
Winnipesaukee lake, thirtv- 
five miles north of Concord, 
on the Boston & Maine rail- 
road. There are seven trains 
daily each way from Boston 
through to Plymouth and the 
White Mountains. The Lake 
View House is pleasantly lo- 
cated on quite an elevation 
but a short distance from the railroad 
station and steamboat landing. 

The house is neat, clean, and newly 
furnished, every room is pleasant, and the 
house accommodates twenty-five guests. 




Story's Hotel. 

hotel business has given him an exten- Everything is made homelike and cheer- 

sive acquaintance with the trawling ful. The location makes it cool and 

public, and his honest welcome to the comfortable even in the hottest weather. 

weary traveler or the sojourner from the There is a fine grove near by, also the 

city seeking a quiet rest in the country, G. A. R. grove, speaker's stand, etc., 

is a guarantee of good lodgings, sub- where band concerts and many interest- 




sJBFcM" 




r |:if 






■Bff 









I 






240 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



ing outdoor gatherings are held during 
the summer. The spring water with 
which the house is supplied has special 
medicinal qualities, as very many have 
testified after using it freely for a short 
time, when they could not drink ordi- 
nary city water without injury. Particu- 
lar pains is taken to have a first-class 
table, supplied with fresh milk, fruit, 
vegetables, etc., from the farm daily. 
Boating and fishing, with the opportun- 
ity for carriage drives through delightful 



even by a bush or rock. On either 
side of this avenue many islands ar- 
ranged themselves, as if to adorn with 
a finish that could be given only by 
their glowing verdure and graceful 
forms. That the successive beauties of 
the Winnipesaukee strongly resemble 
and equal those of Lake George, I can- 
not entertain a doubt, and from various 
elevations the scene is superior. The 
Winnipesaukee presents a field of twice 
the extent of Lake George. The islands 







Lake View House. 



scenery, make this one of the most de- 
sirable places to spend a quiet summer 
vacation at a small expense. Prices are 
from $7 to $10 per week. 

Dr. Dwight, a noted traveler, has said 
of this lake : " From a delightful eleva- 
tion a short distance from the highway 
could be seen the Winnipesaukee lake, 
an immense field of glass. In the cen- 
tre, a noble channel spread out twenty- 
two miles before the eye, uninterrupted 



in view are more numerous, of finer 
form, and more happily arranged. The 
shores are not inferior. The expansion 
is far more magnificent, and the gran- 
deur of the mountains can scarcely be 
rivaled." A few minutes' walk from the 
Lake View House the above can be at 
once verified, and no finer view of lake 
and mountain can hardly be conceived. 
Descriptive circular and other informa- 
tion sent on application to R. C. Dickey. 



INTERLAKEN PARK 





Interlaken Park, located on the shore 
of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, just 
across the channel from The Weirs, is 
already recognized as one of the most 
charming and convenient summer-resort 
locations in the whole lake region of 
New Hampshire. 



White Mountains in the background, 
while the facilities and conveniences for 
business and professional men who 
make this Mecca of tourists a place of 
summer resort, give it a special advan- 
tage over the majority of towns and vil- 
lages catering for summer patronage. 




Looking down the Channel from the Park, Endicott Rock in the Distance. 



Lake Winnipesaukee is everywhere 
acknowledged to be the most magnifi- 
cent summer resort in the Granite state. 
It is the largest lake in the state, contain- 
ing an area of seventy square miles, and 
its hundreds of islands, natural bays, in- 
teresting inlets and picturesque shores, 
are the theme of universal praise by 
both press and public. The Weirs is the 
chief port of the lake and the most im- 
portant junction of railroad and steam- 
boat travel. The view from this point 
combines the lake scenery with the moun- 
tain ranges of Ossipee, Sandwich, and the 



Railroad and steamboat communication 
is prompt and frequent. The running 
time between Boston and The Weirs is 
only about three hours, and the Boston 
& .Maine system runs several express 
trains each way every day between these 
points; the White Mountain region can 
be reached in a few hours ; steamboats 
run between all the harbors and towns 
around the lake; while the conveniences 
of telegraph and telephone are the same 
as can be obtained in any of the large 
cities. Electric street cars make twenty- 
minute trips between The Weirs and 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



2 43 



the thriving city of Laconia, five miles 
distant, the electrics running directly by 
the entrance of Interlaken Park. 

Interlaken Park is actually the coolest 
spot on the shores of the lake. By care- 
ful temperature tests, under like condi- 





tions, made in 
August by Mayor 
Adams of Frank- 
lin, the thermom- 
eter registered 
from 6 to 16 de- 
grees cooler at 
his cottage at the 
park than at The 
Weirs station. 
Four consecutive 
days showed a 
difference of 12 degrees on each daw 

Interlaken Park includes forty acres 
of shore property which has been sur- 
veyed and is laid out into lots for sum- 
mer residences. A substantial driveway 
or avenue has been made at consider- 
able expense along the whole lake front- 
age, and sub-avenues or broad streets 
intersect at regular and convenient dis- 
tances. Running water is supplied from 
The Weirs water-works, and can be car- 
ried to any portion of the park, thus 
securing a bountiful supply of pure 
drinking water. 

It is designed to make the park a 
summer resort for those who appre- 
ciate the beautiful attractions and the 
health-giving properties in which this 



region abounds. The scheme of allot- 
ments secures to each cottager immunity 
from the annoyances of arbitrary privi- 
leges which are sometimes the bane of 
allotment summer parks, and everything 
has been carefully planned and consid- 
ered so that each purchaser feels that 
his personal purchase secures to himself 
comfort and security during the months 
of summer leisure and occupancy. 

The park property is on a gradual 
rise (the back lots being one hundred 
feet higher than the lake level), and 
commands one of the most extensive and 
magnificent views to be obtained any- 
where around this celebrated lake. Some 
of the best fishing grounds in the lake for 
lake trout, salmon, 
bass, and pickerel 
are within easy dis- 
tance of the park, a 
feature which is ap- 
preciated by many 
summer visitors. 

Combining as it 
does all the charm 
of shore and moun- 




w.c*' 



Summer I tomes at the Park. 

tain scenery, superbly located, free 
from excursion crowds and picnics, and 
yet within immediate communication of 
railroad, telegraph, and city life. Inter- 
laken Park offers attractions which 
cannot be found elsewhere, and ran 
hardly fail to rapidly become one of 



244 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



the most popular resorts on Lake Win- the Winnipesaukee Lake Company, 

nipesaukee. at Lakeport, N. H., or at the Hotel 

For further particulars inquire of Weirs, The Weirs, during the summer 

Harry W. Daniell, superintendent of season. 



Plan of I titer lake n Park. 




Harry W. Daniell, Agent of the Winnipesaukee Lake Co. 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



2 45 



Charles W. Vaughan. 

Charles W. Vaughan, manager of the 
Laconia Press Association, and editor of 
The Illustrated Laconian, is a na- 
tive Laconian, born June 30, 1862, in 
the old Vaughan homestead, which 
stood on Main street, just below the 
railroad tracks, and which was removed 
to make room for the new passenger 
depot and railroad square. His parents 
were the late O. A. J. Vaughan, for 
many years a 
well-known law- 
yer, and also 
editor of the 
Laconia Demo- 
crat, and Mary 
Elizabeth (Par- 
ker) Vaughan. 
T h e ancestors 
of these fami- 
lies were not 
only among the 
early settlers of 
America, but if 
the family rec- 
ords had been 
properly kept 
the pedigree 
could have been 
traced back to 
the late M r. 
Noah, who con- 
ducted a very 
successful ferry- 
boat bus i n e s s 
at Mt. Ararat at 
the time of the 
big freshet, and 
whose menagerie of wild and domestic 
animals was at that time universally ad- 
mitted to be the biggest show on earth. 

Quite a number of the Vaughan fam- 
ily were among the early colonists of 
Massachusetts, and while some of them 
acquired fame in the Erench and Indian 
wars, and the Revolution, others had 
fame thrust upon them, one being tried, 
convicted, and hung as one of nineteen 
witches in Salem, while another served 
a term in jail for speaking very disre- 
pectfully of one of the colonial govern- 




Charles \V. Vaughan. 



ors of Massachusetts, which might or 
might not have been discreditable. 

The subject of this sketch distin- 
guished himself at the tender age of 
three years by burning his father's barn, 
thereby satisfying a vindictive anti- 
pathy towards a certain gentleman 
sheep with whom he had some previous 
misunderstanding. He was educated 
in the public schools of Laconia, and at 
the age of thirteen years entered the 
Pitman mills with the intention of be- 
coming a hosiey 
man uf act u rer. 
A violent disin- 
clination for 
work, however, 
induced him to 
a b a n d o n this 
e n t e r prise for 
the newspaper 
business after 
one year, and 
since 1877 he 
has been con- 
nected with the 
Laconia Demo- 
crat in various 
capacities. 

In polities he 
is an Indepen- 
dent, but always 
votes the I )em- 
ocratic ticket. 
He was a mem- 
ber of the first 
city council of 
Laconia. In 
religious mat- 
ters he is a Con- 



gregationalist. 

He married Florence N. Elliott 
Bradford, Vt., October 16, 1882. 



of 



Louis B. Martin. 



Louis E. Martin, publisher of The 
Illustrated Laconian, was born in 
Providence, R. I.. May 24, 1874, only 
son of the late Walter A. Martin and 
Ilattie A. (brown) Martin. His father 
died March S. 187N, and young Martin 
with his mother removed to Laconia. 



246 



THE ILLUSTRATED LACONIAN. 



where they have since resided. Mr. 
Martin attended the public schools, and 
learned the printer's trade and has been 
employed on the various papers of 
I aconia He conducted the street car 
advertising service in Laconia for four 
vears has published various advertis- 
ing novelties and illustrated souvenirs 
in" different parts of the state. _ Mr. 
Martin recently invented a printing 
press, and was 
allowed a pat- 
ent on the same 
last March, 
which is now 
being success- 
fully placed on 
the market by 
a Boston house. 
He was married 
on October 21, 
1895, to Miss 
Mary L.Twom- 
bly of Laconia, 
and they have 
a little daugh- 
ter, Esther. ^^ 



Publisher's 
Note. 

The publisher 
of The Illus- 
trated Laco- 
nian takes con- 
siderable pride 
in present i ng 
this publication 

to the public, believing the work to be 
the most complete and representative 
souvenir of the city ever issued. The 
publisher does not claim that the book 
faithfully presents every man and every 
industry which has helped to build up 
Laconia, but it is claimed that in this 
respect the publication is complete with 
but very few exceptions, and these ex- 



ceptions through no fault of the pub- 
lisher. The facts and dates in the vari- 
ous articles have been obtained so far 
as possible by personal interviews and 
are so far as known absolutely correct. 
The publisher is deeply indebted to 
quite a number of our public-spirited 
citizens for valuable assistance in com- 
piling The Illustrated Laconian and 
in making the publication a success, 
and would also 
express his ap- 
preciation for 
the court eous 
treatment and 
generous sup- 
port re c e i v e d 
from the num- 
erous people 
and concerns 
who appear in 
the book. 

For the ex- 
cellence of the 
engravings and 
the fine typo- 
graphical ap- 
pearance of this 
publication, 
credit should 
be given to the 
Rumford Print- 
ing Co., of Con- 
cord, N. H., 
which concern 
is not only by 
far the largest 
engraving and 
printing establishment in New Hamp- 
shire, but which also stands second to 
none in New England for fine work in 
this line. The half-tone engravings 
were all made by the Rumford Printing 
Co., and the book was printed and 
bound complete in their establishment. 
LOUIS B. MARTIN, 

Publisher. 




Louis B. Martin 



INDEX. 



Abbott, Dr. Alfred \V 140 

Abbott, Dr. Clifton S 141 

Adams, Fred R 206 

Ashman, John W 41 

Baldwin, Charles W 1 iS 

Babb, Rev. J. Franklin 39 

Beckford, Judge Frank M 119 

Blaisdell, Joseph II 83 

booth, John 147 

Brown, the late Levi B 97 

Browne, Lewis A 212 

Burleigh, Edwin F 1S2 

Busiel, the late Hon. John \V 154 

Busiel, Ex-Gov. Charles A 155 

Busiel, John T 157 

busiel, Frank E [58 

Busiel, J. W. & Co 1 59 

( arroll & Crapo 35 

Central House 1S3 

Chase, Harry S 171 

Chase, Ethan A 81 

( 'hase's Sporting Resort 81 

Churches : 

baptist, Lakeport 223 

Church of the Sacred Heart 221 

Congregational 214 

First Free Baptist 21S 

Free Baptist, Lakeport 216 

First Baptist 215 

First Methodist Episcopal 220 

First Unitarian 221 

Peoples' Christian 225 

St. James' Episcopal 219 

St. Joseph's 224 

Trinity M. E., Lakeport 226 

Cilley, Harry D 1S0 

City Savings Bank 151 

Clark, Adelbert 199 

Clow, the late William 66 

Clow, Henrv 1! 67 

Clow, William & Son 67 

Cole Manufacturing Co 47 

Cole, the late Hon. Benjamin J 47 

Cole, Capt. Stephen B 207 

Cottrell's 105 

Cottrell, Irving M 106 

Cox, George B iot 

Crane Manufacturing Co 1 2S 

Crane, John S 129 

Crane, Mazellah L 130 

Daniell, Harry W 244 

Davis, the late Francis H So 

Dinsmoor, the late Daniel S 38 

I tinsmoor, Arthur W 1 53 

Dinsmore, Rev. Jonathan R 227 

Dow & Roberts 57 

Drake, Benjamin F 60 

Eagle Hotel 212 

Edgerly, the late Nathaniel 143 

Esty Sprinkler Co 205 

Everingham, Rev. John E 226 

Flanders, William H 58 

Folsom, Albert G 126 



Folsom, Frank R 204 

Foss, Oscar 123 

Foster. Charles T [91 

Five, < harles E 1 . >.S 

Frye, Simeon C 151 

Gale, the late Major N. B 107 

Getchell, Rev. William 11 218 

Gilman, Frank L i.S^ 

Gilman, Dr. Charles S. . . 76 

Gingras, Joseph II 68 

Glidden, Albert. S 141) 

Gordon & Booth 1 46 

Gordon, Alburtis S 1 j- 

Goss, the late Dr. Oliver 87 

Goss, the late Elizabeth H. (Flanders) 89 

Goss, Dr. ( )ssian W 89 

Greene, Dr. J. A 235 

Harriman, Dr. A. II 56 

Heath, W. D 208 

Hennon, Rev. Fathei 224 

I libbard, Hon. Ellery A 193 

Hodgdon, Dr. Edwin P 53 

Hotel Picard 174 

Huntress, 1 lamlin i 1 ■> 

Huse Machine Shops 74 

II use, Warren D 75 

Interlaken Park 241 

Jewell, Erastus P 142 

Jewett, Judge John G iN} 

Jewett, Col. Stephen S [33 

Jones, I Ton. Frank 29 

Jordan, Rev. John B 219 

Kellogg, Daniel no 

Ring, Dr. W. A 137 

Knight & Huntress 112 

Knight, Gen. William F 112 

Laconia, 1652-1S99 ^ 

Laconia Board of Trade 181 

Laconia Building and Loan Association. . . 32 

Laconia Car Company Works 29 

Laconia, Census of, in 1S36 27 

Laconia Electric Lighting Co 125 

I .aconia Democrat 141 

Laconia Grist-mill [37 

Laconia Hardware Company 36 

Laconia Lumber Works 92 

Laconia Landmark 50 

Laconia National Bank 150 

Laconia Post-office 1S0 

Laconia Street Railway 189 

Laconia Savings bank 103 

I .aconia To-day 21 

Laconia Water Company 143 

Lakeside I louse 232 

Lakeview I louse 2 ^7 

Lake City Laundry 203 

Leavitt, Charles E [98 

Letourneau, Dr. J. X 109 

I ,ewis, < !ol. Edwm C 1S4 

Lougee Pros 1 - 3 

Lougee, Frank H 173 

Lovell, the late Judge Warren 193 



248 



INDEX. 



Maher's Newstand 211 

Maher, Charles 211 

Mallard, George F 200 

Marshall, Residence of William C 192 

Martin, the late Samuel H 144 

Martin, Louis B 245 

Mayor and Council 24 

McCarthy Bros 205 

McGloughlin, James ... 3, 

McDaniel, Charles W 145 

Melcher & l'rescott Insurance Agency 130 

Melcher, the late Woodbury 175 

Melcher, Woodbury L 176 

Meredith Bridge, Map of in 1S53 10 

Merrill, John F 79 

■ Merchand, Leon J 210 

Moulton, the late Hon. John C 64 

Morin, Joseph P 68 

Moore, Albert C. 82 

Moore, the late Jonathan L 194 

Moore, John B ' 106 

Morrill, Joseph S 13S 

Monge, Rev. Father 221 

Munsey, George B 100 

Mutual Building and Loan Association. ... 45 

Nelson, the late David B 52 

Nelson, William 152 

New Hotel Weirs 234 

.Oberon Ladies' Quartette 63 

Old Corner Store 50 

Osgood, F. George H 72 

O'Loughlin, the late John 139 

( >'Shea Bros 42 

( )'Shea, Dennis 45 

O'Shea, Residence of Eugene 213 

Pease's City Band 149 

Peaslee, Walter S 167 

' Peaslee, Frank S 1 53 

Peoples' National Banki 103 

Pepper Manufacturing Company 69 

Pepper, William II 70 

Perley, the late Stephen 161 

Perley, the late John L 163 

Perley, the late John L., I r 165 

Perley, Lewis S 166 

Pierce, Harry L 191 

Pierce, Lewis S 191 

Pierce, Rev. Charles L 216 

Pike, Charles J 209 

Pitman, the late Joseph P 195 

Pitman, Charles F 198 

Pitman, Walter H 73 

Pitman Manufacturing Company 198 

Plummer, William A 136 

Plummer, Martin B 1 iS 

Post-office 186 

Prescott, True E 1 33 

Pulsifer, Ex-Mayor Charles L in 

Quimby, Dr. John G 189 

Quinby, Col. Henry B 48 

Quinby, I lenry Cole 49 

Quinby, Albert T y] 

Quinby, Edwin N 37 

Richards, Charles F 166 

Rice, Rev. G. Heber 223 



Riley, George W . . 

Roberts, John L. . . 

Robinson, Mark M 

I Rowe, Fred B 



Saltmarsh, Dr. George II ... . 
Sanders, the late Samuel W.. 
Sanders, the late George A. . . 

Sanders, George A 

Sanborn, Herbert S 

Scott, City Marshal H. K. W. 

Shannon, Edwin H 

Shannon, Jonathan C 

Shannon, Will P 

Simpson, Charles L 

Smith, Ex-Mayor Samuel B.. 

Smith, John Parker 

Smith, Joseph F 

Smith, Rev. A. L. 

Smith, the late Rev. A. D . . . . 

Stone, Hon. Charles F 

Story's Drug Store 

Story, J. Henry 

Story's Hotel 

Story, David B 

Story, Dr. Helen L 

Story, Marion W 



Tetley, Mayor Edmund 

The Weirs 

Thompson, Edwin P 

Thompson, True W 

Thurston, Rev. Charles A. G. 
Tilton, the late Daniel A . . . . 

Tilton, the late James H 

Tilton, the late Joseph S 

Tilton, George Henry 

Tilton, Elmer S 

Trask, Julian Francis 

True, the late Noah L 

True, Dr. Walter H 

Tucker, Iloyt H 

Twomblv, the late Orison 



Vaughan, the late O. A. J. 
Vaughan, Charles W . . . . 
Vue de L'Eau 



Wallace, William 

Wardwell Needle Co 

Ward, Edwin D 

Waverly Shoe Company 

Weeks, George W 

Weeks, Mrs. George W 

Wells, Dr. Henry C 

Weymouth, Herman C 

Whipple, the late Col. Thomas J 

Wiley, Dr. Rebecca W 

Wiley, Rev. Frederick L 

Wilson, Julius E 

Wilson, Morgia Porter 

Winnipesaukee Gas and Electric Co. 

Woodworth, Wellington L 

Worrall, T. H 

Wrisley, Dr. J. A 



Young, Fred A. 
Y. M. C. A.... 



93 

98 

121 

59 

78 
178 

75 
7i 
95 
96 
62 
124 
203 

9i 
160 

5 1 
121 

220 

177 

61 

104 

I0 5 
236 

236 
200 



3 1 
229 

1 r .; 
116 

-15 
86 

'79 
167 
169 

170 
55 
53 
54 
84 
97 



245 
182 



105 
39 
77 
98 

2 33 
2 33 
125 

117 
187 

179 
228 

40 
90 
94 
9i 
202 
194 

85 

227 



Zebley, Summer Residence of Mrs. John F. 238 



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